1.
HOSPITAL PHARMACY
The department of the hospital which deals with procurement, storage, compounding, testing,
packaging, dispensing and distribution of drugs within the hospital or healthcare facility is called as
hospital pharmacy.
Hospital pharmacies perform numerous essential functions within a healthcare facility.
Departments of Hospital Pharmacy:
Hospital pharmacy departments are crucial in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications in
healthcare settings. They typically consist of several specialized sections, each performing distinct
roles:
1. Inpatient Pharmacy
• Role: Prepares and dispenses medications to patients admitted to the hospital.
• Services: Medication dispensing, sterile compounding (e.g., IV solutions), and medication
therapy management.
2. Outpatient Pharmacy
• Role: Dispenses medications to patients who are not hospitalized, such as those visiting
outpatient clinics or emergency departments.
• Services: Filling prescriptions, patient counseling, and medication monitoring.
3. Clinical Pharmacy
• Role: Pharmacists work directly with healthcare teams, providing expert advice on
medication therapy.
• Services: Medication therapy management, therapeutic drug monitoring, and involvement
in patient care rounds.
4. Sterile Compounding Unit
• Role: Prepares sterile medications like intravenous (IV) fluids, chemotherapy, and
parenteral nutrition under controlled environments.
• Services: Ensures aseptic preparation of medications to prevent contamination.
5. Non-Sterile Compounding Unit
• Role: Prepares non-sterile medications, including oral suspensions, topical creams, and
capsules, based on specific patient needs.
6. Drug Information Services
• Role: Provides accurate and up-to-date drug information to healthcare professionals and
patients.
• Services: Answering drug-related queries, supporting clinical decision-making, and
monitoring new drug releases and recalls.
7. Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee
• Role: A multidisciplinary group that makes decisions regarding the hospital's medication
formulary.
• Services: Evaluates and selects medications for use in the hospital based on efficacy, safety,
and cost-effectiveness.
8. Inventory Management and Procurement
• Role: Manages the stock of medications, ensuring the availability of essential drugs while
minimizing waste.
• Services: Ordering medications, managing expiration dates, and handling drug shortages.
9. Pharmacovigilance Unit
• Role: Monitors the safety of medications in use, focusing on detecting and reporting
adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
• Services: Collecting data on ADRs and ensuring safe medication practices.
10. Education and Training
• Role: Provides ongoing education for pharmacy staff, healthcare providers, and sometimes
patients.
• Services: Continuing education programs, pharmacist training, and medication safety
education.
Key roles:
1. Medication Dispensing and Distribution: Hospital pharmacies are responsible for
dispensing medications prescribed by healthcare providers to inpatients and outpatients.
They manage the distribution of these medications to various hospital units, ensuring
timely and accurate delivery.
2. Medication Management / Formulary Management: Pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians in hospital settings manage medication inventories, ensuring that the right
medications are available in adequate quantities. They oversee stock levels, handle
medication recalls, and manage expired medications.
3. Clinical Services and Patient Care: Pharmacists play a crucial role in patient care by
providing clinical services. They review medication orders, assess patients' medication
histories, offer drug information to healthcare providers, and participate in
multidisciplinary rounds to optimize medication therapy for individual patients.
4. Compounding and Preparation: Hospital pharmacies may compound medications when
commercially available forms are unsuitable or unavailable for specific patient needs. This
involves preparing customized medications or dosage forms tailored to patients'
requirements.
5. Medication Safety and Adverse Event Monitoring: Hospital pharmacists actively
monitor for potential medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and drug interactions. They
implement strategies to enhance medication safety, such as conducting medication
reconciliation and offering recommendations to mitigate risks.
6. Patient Education and Counselling: Pharmacists counsel patients on their medications,
including dosage, administration instructions, potential side effects, and interactions. They
also educate patients on proper medication use and adherence to treatment plans.
7. Collaboration with Healthcare Teams: Hospital pharmacists collaborate closely with
physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and
comprehensive patient care. They participate in treatment decisions, offer
recommendations, and provide drug-related expertise to the healthcare team.
8. Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance: Hospital pharmacies adhere to strict
regulatory standards and quality control measures to maintain the safety, efficacy, and
integrity of medications. They comply with local, state, and federal regulations governing
the storage, handling, and dispensing of medications.
9. Research and Education: Some hospital pharmacies engage in research activities,
participate in clinical trials, or contribute to educational programs for healthcare
professionals and the community. They stay updated with the latest advancements in
pharmaceuticals to improve patient care.
Overall, hospital pharmacies play a pivotal role in providing safe, effective, and high-quality
pharmaceutical care to patients within the healthcare institution.
