Pharmacy Daily | Patient safety a global emergency

PHARMACISTS must be given access to the tools to support patient safety, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) believes.

Launching FIP's policy statement on patient safety, newly elected FIP Vice President, and University of Sydney School of Pharmacy Professor of Medicines Use Optimisation, Parisa Aslani, (PD 14 Sep), highlighted the role of pharmacists in tackling what has become an international public health issue.

"Patient safety has become a global emergency," she said.

"Medication safety is a large component of this and encompasses preventing medication errors and medication-related harm, particularly in relation to high-risk medications and polypharmacy, and optimising safe medication use at each stage of a patient's medication-use journey, notably at the transitions of care.

"The role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams in patient safety requires recognition and support by healthcare organisations and regulatory bodies."

Aslani said the policy statement set out recommendations for governments, policy-makers, pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry in the areas of advocacy, training and resources.

"Our goal is to increase the safe and effective use of medications, prevent errors and decrease the risk of harm associated with health care," she said.

"FIP encourages all healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders, including patients and their caregivers, managers, policy-makers and educators, to consider designing and optimising services collaboratively to improve patient safety."

CLICK HERE to read the policy statement in full.