Hospital pharmacy...where do we stand?

Abstract

Hospital pharmacy is a specialised field of pharmacy within the healthcare service which entails the procurement, storage, compounding and dispensing of medications and medical devices. It also involves advising healthcare professionals and patients on their safe, effective and efficient use. In accordance to the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP), the mission of each hospital pharmacist is to enhance the safety and quality of all medicine-related processes affecting patients whilst ensuring that the seven “rights” are respected: right patient, right dose, right route, right time, right drug with the right information and right documentation. Being part of the medication management within a hospital, each hospital pharmacist must strive to optimise the use of medicines such as ensuring the correct dosage regimen and promote adherence to prescribed treatment by patients.