It
is very important that a person who is on a medication regiment to control a
chronic illness, such as diabetes, have a good relationship with their
pharmacist. This was the general
sentiment expressed during a recent public
forum organized by the Grenada Pharmacies Association and the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, in conjunction with the
Grenada Diabetes Association.
The
event which was held on August 19, 2014 at the Public Workers Union in Tanteen,
St. George’s, was part of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists annual
convention outreach health education targeting patients with chronic non
communicable diseases.
Local
Grenadian pharmacist Brian James served as moderator for the lively forum which
included distinguished health care professionals and health leaders such as Dr.
Alister Antoine - Vice President of the
Grenada Diabetes Association(GDA); Lydia Duncan – President of the Grenada
Association of Pharmacist; Dr. Francis
Martin – Director of Primary Health Care of the Ministry of Health; Yvonne Read
– President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP); and Endocrinologist
Dr. Sebastian Peter. Testimonies from
two male diabetics Alexander Smith and Francis Balwant, who serves as Treasurer
for the GDA, added a human touch to the discussion as they shared their journey
of how they got diagnosed with diabetes and how they manage their glucose
(sugar) levels daily with medication and/or insulin.
According
to the President of CAP Yvonne Read, the forum birthed out of a desire to have an
outreach activity into the communities, “About three of four years or so ago,
public education activity became a focus of our convention, because we felt it
was important to have an outreach in the communities where the local pharmacists
can reach the community. And, also to show trends of what the profession can do
when others from other parts of the Caribbean come together to collaborate.”
In keeping with the goal of
the public forum/community outreach lead by pharmacists, the real meat of the
forum came from an interactive presentation lead by Barbadian Pharmacists
Cherylann Yearwood. She gave some
practical advice to the diabetics present on how they can have a good working
relationship with their pharmacists and the importance of that partnership. “The pharmacist helps you by filling your prescription;
by giving you information on your medication; by liaising with your physician
about your medication - about how often you have been taking it.” Yearwood went on to say that the pharmacists
is available to thoroughly explain to patients how their medicines should be
taken. For example, information provided
may include but not limited to clarifying if the tablet needs to be taken with
or without food, during a meal or directly after a meal and side effects.
Yearwood posited that many times for
various reasons patients switch doctors and do not share with their new doctor
the medicine regiment that they are currently on. This is why according to Yearwood all
attendees who are on a pill regiment need to keep track of the names of the
medication; the number of times it must be taken a day; how it must be taken,
and share that information will the new doctor and any other specialist seen. Failure to do so can lead to many problems
such as over-dosage. If the new doctor,
for example, gives the patient the exact same medication the previous doctor
prescribed and unbeknownst to the patient the brand name may be different and
the patient takes both pills – this could lead to serious consequences. “This is why it is important that you see one
pharmacist. Visit one pharmacist for all your medication, so that they can have
a database of information on your medication.
They can have your medication history,” said Yearwood.
In part of her closing remarks Yearwood gave
advice on what patients can do to help their pharmacists effectively do their
job, “You can learn about your medication. You [should] know what you are
taking. Don’t go to the pharmacists and
tell them, “I take the big white tablet.””
The
theme for this year’s convention was, “Shaping Our Profession With One Mission
and One Voice.” Over 100 delegates from the Caribbean, the Unites
States, Canada, Latin, North and South America attended the conference which included networking
opportunities, and continuing education lectures.
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