Bioethical implications of the role of the pharmacist serving patients opting for self-treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Evolution of a wider process of serving patients by recommending a treatment with certain drugs without prescription is based on temporary replacement of the proper physician. This mode of dispensing should have the same professional attention from the pharmacist as in cases with prescription, but requires sufficient competence in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Purposes and Objectives: Highlighting the bioethical implications of dispensing without a prescription and the contribution of the pharmacist to the welfare of the patient. Materials and methods: International publications, published scientific research studies. Bioethics and sociological analysis where used. The key objectives are to highlight the pharmatherapeutic role of the pharmacist and the role as a replacement for the physician serving the patients who opt for self-treatment. Results: Bioethics in pharmacy contributes to the distinction between occupation and profession, to countervail commercialism and competition in the pharmaceutical industry to promote altruism as the basis of pharmaceutical activity. Pharmacist responsibility is to help the patient and prevent health damage by releasing the right drugs for the treatment, required doses and provide information on how to use the drugs. From the traditional relationship between doctor that prescribes and pharmacist, the prescriber is always to blame for mistakes. When the patient chooses to purchase drugs without prescription, the situation changes, greatly influencing this relationship. Pharmaceutical care includes the responsibility to patients who are cared for and the society asks the pharmacist to be accounted for this responsibility. Without assistance from the pharmacist patients are likely to follow a wrong medication which ultimately can have very serious consequences. Pharmacist, while communicating with the patient based on trust and mutual respect, makes an effort to obtain the best outcome for the patient, to prevent adverse and dangerous effects of self-treatment and to improve quality of life. Conclusion: A patient who chooses to buy a product without visiting the doctor is sacrificing the security of a professional examination and risks taking wrong medication and making dosage errors. Such is the role of the pharmacist as a supervisor and patient informer. The pharmacist is granted the pharmacotherapeutic role in the pharmacy. It may, by mutual trust, influence the patient to choose the proper medication and avoid dangerous side effects or inadequate pharmacotherapy. The pharmacist must take into account respect for autonomy, individuality and dignity of the patient. He must guide the patient so that he reaches the best solution for the treatment or to make him realize the need for professional advice while visiting the doctor.