Chief Editor’s Note:
We the Pharmacists are the frequently contacted by the public among all the health care professionals and also a frontline warrior in COVID – 19 management.Though the most of the shops closed during the lockdown periods, pharmacies opened daily and served the mankind in the perilous period. Hence, pharmacy is considered as a noble profession.
There are two strategic management i.e., “Red Ocean and Blue Ocean.” Pharmacists should adopt blue ocean strategies to bring some innovation in their profession. Slowly, our role shifting from dispenser to health care provider and we can also minimize the adverse impacts of COVID-19. Many research studies conducted shown that positive effect in COVID – 19 management by pharmacist.
The role of pharmacists during COVID – 19 are, providing information and communication about COVID-19, availability of chronic diseases medicines, support to achieve rational medicines use, medication adherence promotion, medication review and follow up, clarify misunderstanding about COVID-19, minor illnesses consultations and conducting research on COVID -19 etc.
This issue of our newsletter is focussed on COVID-19 related articles. Hope, these articles improve your knowledge about COVID-19 and its management.
Novel Coronavirus Medicine Update: Newer and Existing Treatment
Continuous research and clinical trials are underway to handle the current Covid-19 crisis and find an effective therapy against the novel Coronavirus. The good news is that some of them have even started yielding positive results. Evidence based update about the recent advancements in Covid-19 treatment.
Favipiravir: Class of Drug: Antiviral: Favipiravir
is a chain terminator in Coronavirus and also inhibiting an enzyme called RNA dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme helps coronavirus to make more copies of itself. Restricting it means less viral copies leading to reduced number of viruses, less damage in the body, and quicker recovery.
Remdesivir: Class of Drug: Antiviral: Mechanism of action is same as
Favipiravir.
Dexamethasone: Class of Drug: Steroid: Works
by suppressing the massive immune response evoked by the coronavirus, which may cause damage to lungs and other organs.
Hydroxychloroquine: Class of Drug: Antimalarial: Works
by interfering with the process of viral entry into the body’s cells.
References:
- 1. Hydroxychloroquine
& COVID-19. WHO.
- 2. Clinical
Trials Registry, India.
- 3. RECOVERY
Trial, Oxford University News Release.
- 4. COVID-19
Clinical Management Protocol. MoHFW.
Dr. Hadia Rajesh, Pharm. D, Rph, Ph. D* (Pharmacy Practice)
Assistant professor,
Department of pharmacy Practice,
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth deemed to be University,
Vadodara-391760
Mobile No:
+919590677280
ROLE OF PHARMACIST IN COVID-19
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The news nowadays is full of reports on
corona virus. Everyone is panicking and scared. In this scenario, being aware
and creating awareness will definitely help.
Coronaviruses
or (CoV) are the viruses belonging to a large family, causing illness ranging
from the common cold to more severe diseases. These diseases include Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome or (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
or (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus or (nCoV) has been identified as a new
strain that has not been previously identified in humans. However, an
outbreak of unusual respiratory condition was first reported in Wuhan, China,
due to the infection caused by novel Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.
This
infection manifests as pneumonia, multi-organ failure, severe acute
respiratory syndrome, and may even lead to death. It has become a pandemic
and preventive measures are being employed for decreasing the prevalence of
the disease. As the world is experiencing the outbreak of this infectious
disease at present, it is important to know the role of Pharmacist in prevention
of COVID-19
Pharmacists and Covid-19 pandemic:
Through
public preventative measures advocated by WHO, the public are working
together in their respective countries to ‘flatten the curve’. With a near
enough global lockdown there seems to be an even greater dependence on
pharmacists as the first point of contact to fulfill the public’s healthcare
needs. Pharmacies around the world are one of the few places that are kept
open for public service even during the strict lockdowns.
Pharmacists can give valuable information
regarding about Do’s and Don’ts.
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Dr.Raghavendra S.Hegde
Pharm.D (PB), MBA., PGDHM., R.Ph (KSPC)
Lecturer
Dept of Clinical Pharmacy
H.S.K College of Pharmacy, Bagalkot
