Question

As the pharmacist of the local community pharmacy, you have been filling prescriptions for Mrs. Arthur for several years. She has an extensive medication profile that suggests she has several health conditions. What action should you take to ensure her safety and well-being?

a) Continue filling her prescriptions as usual.
b) Review her medication profile regularly, monitor for drug interactions, and consult with her healthcare providers as needed.
c) Share her medication profile with other customers for reference.
d) Contact her without her request to discuss her health conditions and medications.

Answer 1

The correct action for the pharmacist is to review Mrs. Arthur's medication profile, monitor for interactions, and consult with healthcare providers, while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of Mrs. Arthur, a long-standing patient with an extensive medication profile, option b is the most appropriate action for a pharmacist. Pharmacists must regularly review patients' medication profiles, monitor for drug interactions, and consult with healthcare providers as needed.

This is due to the crucial role pharmacists play in advising both physicians and patients about the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of drugs. As healthcare professionals, it's essential to maintain patient confidentiality, hence sharing medication profiles with others or contacting patients unsolicited is not compliant with professional standards.