Representatives of pharmacists, pharmacoeconomists and doctors discussed the most suitable model of pharmaceutical care for Poland, how it could be financed and how quickly it should be introduced, during an expert debate organised by ‘Polityka Zdrowotna’. Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński was among the experts.
Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński said pharmaceutical care would work particularly well during the pandemic, when many people sought help in pharmacies. He emphasised the high level of trust in pharmacists, especially in small communities where they know their customers well.
He acknowledged that the doctor–pharmacist–patient relationship remains an underexplored subject. However, for a doctor with many patients, it should provide practical support. Initial experience of a pharmacist reducing a doctor’s workload often shows that cooperation can extend further.
According to Prof. P. Skarżyński, this cooperation must also involve education and training in new treatments and possibilities. A short postgraduate course for doctors, prepared by pharmacists to explain how pharmaceutical care can support medical professionals, would be a useful solution. University curricula should also devote more attention to its role.
Prof. P. Skarżyński believes Poland is ready to introduce pharmaceutical care. The pandemic provides an opportunity to implement many changes more quickly, without unnecessary delay, as it did with certain elements of eHealth. He noted that digital infrastructure and systems for pharmaceutical care would also entail additional costs.
The full discussion is available here.
