In accordance with the pharmacist oath, service to the community is the moral responsibility of a clinical pharmacist. Patient medication counseling is one of the facets of the immense responsibility that he is obliged to. During a patient medication counseling session the pharmacist provides sufficient information and counseling to enable patients and /or patient’s party to achieve informed and judicious use of their medication.

The ultimate goal to be achieved during patient medication counseling is to provide information directed at encouraging safe and appropriate use of medication, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Medication counseling services is provided to all the patients. If constraints preclude verbal counseling of all patients, the category of patients where maximal benefit is likely should be identified. These include the same category of patients as mentioned previously in the blog on medication review.

Medication counseling is provides at different times based on patient-specific considerations.

These are as follows:

• During an ambulatory clinic visit

• On admission, beginning with the medication history interview

• Counseling throughout an inpatient stay

• Immediately prior to discharge or at discharge.

LP20M, 63+Patient understanding of their medication and retention of this information is optimized if counseling occurs during the patient’s hospital admission as well as at time of discharge. Counseling is reinforced at every available opportunity.
Information which is discussed during a counseling session includes:

• The generic and trade name of the drug, physical description and strength

• The intended propose and expected action of treatment

• Information on how and when to take the medication

• Any special directions or precautions about taking the drug

• Common side effects that may be encountered ways in which to minimize them and action that is required if such side effects occur

• Details of medication ceased and its relationship to new medication

• Any techniques for self-monitoring of therapy

• Appropriate storage requirement

• Relevant drug-drug, drug-food, drug-alcohol and drug-test/ procedure interactions

• The number of days treatment that is supplied and the duration of treatment that is required and the means to procure further supplies

• The action to be taken in the event of a missed dose

• A consumer product information as appropriate

• A written medication list as required
At the conclusion of the conclusion of counseling

• significant information’s for the patient are summarized

• the patient’s are assessed for their understanding of the medication counseling session

• Ensure the patient has all the relevant information and will cope with self-medicating aids as necessary

• the patient is asked if there are any questions or if there is any information they did not understand

• Further the patient is encouraged to contact the pharmacist if there are any difficulties regarding their drug therapy, and contact name and telephone number is provided.

Based on the assessment of the patient’s understanding, a follow up session for the medication counseling is forecasted.

This may include:

• Further counseling sessions including home visits

• Referral to other healthcare workers may be necessary to supervise the administration of medication

• Communication of relevant strategies or perceived potential problems to the necessary healthcare workers either verbally or in writing.

Like all the other role of a clinical pharmacist the patient medication counseling also contributes to the well being of the patients. It has healthy impact on all the patients and specifically on the patients belonging to the special category group.

Patient counselling one of the pharmacists...one of their primary role.....