Left to Right: Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Ms. Gracia Wheatley is pictured here as she presents new pharmaceutical and dispensing reference texts to Pharmacy Manager in the Pharmacy Unit of the Peebles Hospital, Mr. Neil Hawke in the presence of Director of Hospital Services, Mrs. Cederone Malone-Smith and fellow Pharmacist Mr. Asif Khan. (Photo Credit: MHSD)

The material was donated by the Office of the Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Pharmaceutical Procurement Services (OECS/PPS).

In an invited comment following the book donation last Thursday, Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Ms. Gracia Wheatley told the Department of Information and Public Relations, “Access to current reference texts is a vital part of pharmacy practice because the uses of pharmaceuticals change daily.”

“With research, new uses for old medicines are being discovered. Additionally, new medicines are being manufactured, and with the wide use of medicines, new side effects and adverse medicine reactions are being experienced. Furthermore, medicines are being withdrawn from the market or relabelled because of negative experiences by the patient”, said the Chief of Drugs as she explained the need for modern texts and continued education by pharmacists.

Pharmacy Manager Mr. Neil Hawke accepted the donation on behalf of the Pharmacy Unit of the Peebles Hospital and affirmed that the texts are a welcome addition to the Unit’s reference library.

Some of the topics covered in the texts include working with self medicating patients; interaction of herbal and complementary medicines with prescription medicines; adverse medicine reactions; medicines and food interactions; and medicine and drink interactions.

Ms. Wheatley advised that it is crucial for pharmacists to have access to this type of information so they can properly advise patients on how their medicines can have the best therapeutic effect. The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.