Assistant Professor

Ram Gopal College of Pharmacy

Approved by- PCI, MHRD, Govt of India,
Affiliation from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Science, Rohtak, Haryana
State Government University

Pharmacists play essential role in COVID-19 response as front-line health-care professionals, many pharmacists are playing an important role in patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in community pharmacies, hospitals and other health-care settings including long-term care. The pharmacists scope of practice includes helping address a variety of minor ailments and many pharmacists have taken additional education such as the diabetes educator training. This expanded scope provides patients with another source from which to receive reliable health advice and is helping to ease pressure on hospitals and clinics during this time. "The pharmacists role has continued to change over the last decade and with our new Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum, it is very much geared to direct patient care,". Pharmacists are an essential first line caregiver to provide medication information and the management of their medication therapies. They re the most easily accessible health-care professionals. You can walk into a pharmacy and talk to your pharmacist without waiting more than 10 minutes, whereas at the clinic or hospital you could be waiting for a longer amount of time,". They have also seen an increase in delivery requests, and more people phoning in for advice and requests rather than coming in persons.

Since the pandemic began, pharmacists have spent a lot of time educating people about COVID-19 and reinforcing messaging about how to reduce the spread. This is important in a small community where some may think they dont have to worry about the virus if it is not yet present in their community. "The role has not changed, but the communication methods that pharmacists must adapt to provide information and product has changed rapidly as well as physical changes within the pharmacies to protect their colleagues and other employees,". These changes have also affected pharmacy students. Student experiential training in pharmacies and hospitals has been postponed due to the COVID-19 patients. The amount of PPE they have to wear in the hospital to see patients, including masks, gloves and face shields, can present a barrier. "Its really tough on patients, everyone looks the same to them. It makes it a little bit harder to build those relationships with patients since they cant see your face,". Pharmacists continue to support their communities in any way they can. Pharmacists really care about their patients and profession,". Pharmacists are still doing their job, as usual, as well as supporting the COVID-19 response.

"Pharmacists are working as part of the teams treating COVID-19 patients. Theyre there to support their patients and colleagues and get the best outcomes they can for their patients. Theyre part of the team and intend to stay part of the team,".

Arti Gupta

Assistant Professor

Head Office

A1/11, Prashant Vihar Rohini,
Near Pitampura Metro Station,Opposite Power House
New Delhi, India-110085