Pharmacy Dispensing Practices in the Philippines

Most of the pharmacists after graduating are employed in the drugstore setting. Retail has occupied a large percentage of the workforce in Pharmacy. That is why it is very much likely that after graduation, you will be working in the community setting. It is actually fun because you encounter lots of personalities, customers or patients coming to you. If you enjoy the company of people, you will most likely thrive in this environment. However, if you are not a people-oriented person then manufacturing/ industrial practice will be fitting for you. In this area, you are only focused on the laboratory or production side which means you spend most of your day facing analytical balance, reagents, apparatus and machines. 

So what usually happens during dispensing in the counter? You greet the patient and ask him for concerns, you fill out the prescription by following the correct drug, dose and verifying the information there. If it is his first time to take the drug, it will be an opportune time to counsel your patient. Remember there is a reason why you wear that white coat. It signifies greater responsibility and so it is a source of honor and pride for us. This differentiates us from the common "tinderos/tinderas". We don't want to be labeled as such so we have to perform our job well.

If you see any errors in the prescription, you may correct it. If it is an impossible prescription then there's not much you can do but return the prescription to the patient and inform him that you can't fill it. Don't try to give another medication because it will harm the patient and can be grounds for negligence on your part. You are harming the patient instead of helping. Just tell him properly that it is beyond your limits to dispense and it is best to return to the physician for consult. If however, the contact number of the physician is indicated, you can call the doctor to verify the prescription.
In case of antibiotics, strictly no dispensing without prescription. We have already seen an increase in antimicrobial resistance in the country which is a public health concern. We want to be guardians of public health by avoiding irrational use or indiscriminate use of antibiotics. 

Dispense only what is written in the prescription. Do not give more. If the patient is financially constraint and can not complete, you may just give what he/she can afford but ask him/her to return when he/she has money. Inform the patient about the importance of strictly complying with the regimen to achieve effective concentration of drug in the blood and reap the therapeutic benefits of the drug.  Ensure that the active ingredients are similar with what is prescribed and do not substitute. You may shift to generic products, there is nothing wrong with that, it is economical and bioequivalent. 

After filling the prescription, make a record and keep the prescription. Say thank you and reinforce about the importance of taking the medications religiously. Also, if the disease is lifestyle related, you can counsel the patient to take exercise and healthy diet to avoid complications of the disease especially that most of the patients coming to you have a lifestyle-related issue. 
Location: Tabuk, Kalinga, Philippines

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