SEVEN-STAR PHARMACIST CONCEPT

BY WHO
Journal of young pharmacists Vol 6.issue 2. April 2014
Objectives
■ Describe the roles of pharmacists in healthcare team
■ Identify the factors to emerge as seven-stars pharmacists.
Health

■ It is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being,

not merely the absence of disease or infirmity .

- WHO, 1946
 Pharmacist
■ A person prepared to formulate, dispense and
provide clinical information on drugs or
medications to health professionals and patients.
■ One of the person in healthcare team.
■ Provide quality health care and pharmaceutical
care to the public.
■ Experts in medicine
■ Ensures the safe supply and use of medicine by
the public.
 Evolution of pharmacy practice
■ First prescription – 3700 BC in Babylonia by priest, pharmacist
and physician.
■ First apothecary – in Baghdad in 8th century to preserve much of
Greco-Roman wisdom to develop syrups, confections, conserves,
distilled waters, and alcoholic liquid with the aid of natural
resources.
■ Later, pharmacist occupies a significant place in the healthcare
system
■ Established vital role
– In the drug development process,
– Quality control,
– Fundamental research
– Clinical research and services
– Patient education and counseling
How the pharmacist’s role has changed

■ From compounder and dispensing  “Drug Therapy

Manager”
■ From Pre/para-clinical clinical aspects, manufacturing, QC,
drug discovery, regulatory pharmaceuticals, drug dispensing,
patient education & counseling, hospital/pharmacy
administration and community services.
 New Scope of Pharmacy Practice
■ Patient-centered care
■ Provide drug information
■ Monitor drug therapy
■ Medicine supply management (technical aspect)
It is based upon a broad understanding of the scientific principles
and techniques of the pharmaceutical sciences.
Ability to keep pace throughout in the developments in medicine
and pharmacy.
Responsibility

■ Rational use of medication by the patient through utilization of

pharmaceutical knowledge.
■ Knowledge and expertise extends to all aspects of preparation,
distribution, action and uses of medications.
“Seven-Star Pharmacist”
■ Concept was introduced by WHO in March 2014
Caregiver
■ Provides caring services of the
highest quality.
■ Must view their practice as
integrated and continuous with
healthcare system and other
health professionals.
Decision-Maker
■ Revolves around accurate decisions
on appropriate, efficacious, safe and
cost-effective use of resources (e.g.
personnel, medicines, equipment,
procedures, and practices.)
■ Pivotal role in setting medicines
policy in local and national levels
■ Possess ability to evaluate, synthesize
data & information, decide upon the
appropriate course of action.
 Communicator
■ Links between physician and patient, & to
other health care professionals
■ Should have complete knowledge about recent
updates on pharmaceuticals & be confident.
■ Effective in patient communication skills to
provide better pharmaceutical care.
■ Help practitioners collect the accurate &
comprehensive information through
communication skills.
■ Ability to establish rapport to build a trusting
relationship.
 Manager
■ Ability to manage the natural and
commercial resources including
manpower, physical and financial
resources.
■ Must assume greater responsibility to
manage drug label information, ensuring
quality of pharmaceuticals.
■ Develop and maintain department policies
and procedures, goals, objectives, QA
programs, safety, and environmental &
infection control standards.
 Life-Long Learner
■ Life-long learning begins at school
and must be supported all throughout
the pharmacist’s career.
■ Regularly update knowledge and
skills in order to keep up with the
current trends in issues related to drug ■ CPD , is the lifelong process of
therapy management. active participation in learning
■ Pharmacists should learn how to learn. activities that assists individuals in
developing and maintaining
continuing competence, enhancing
their professional practice, and
supporting achievement of their
career goals - ACPE
 Leader
■ Has leadership role in healthcare system
■ Creates an idea/vision; motivate other members
to achieve the vision.
■ Continually encourage constructive differences.
■ Mission-driven without being egocentric.
■ Compassionate and empathetic
■ Experts in demonstrating and creating high-
performance pharmacy practices
 Teacher
■ Assist with the education and training of
future generations of pharmacists and
the general public.
■ Offers an opportunity for professionals
to gain new knowledge and to fine-tune
existing skills.
■ Participating as a teacher not only
imparts knowledge to others, it offers an
opportunity for the practitioner to gain
new knowledge and to fine-tune
existing skills.
Qualities of “the seven star leader” :

 an effective role model (especially for women);

 influential and able to influence others;
 able to articulate “one voice;”
 has a vision for the future;
 able to stimulate new thinking;
 able to synergize team thinking and teamwork; and
 an effective politician
.
■ The pharmacist’s continuing relationship
with the client, the community-based
practice, and multiple entry points for
counselling make the pharmacist a
leader in health care.

■ Be proud being pharmacists as integral

part of healthcare system and practice in
a highly professional manner to fulfill
the requirement of WHO to emerge as
seven-star pharmacists.