Sub-Directorate Head of Management and Clinical Pharmacy in Ministry of Health, Dina Sintia Pamela, S.Si., M.Farm., Apt., stated that pharmaceutical care using e-pharmacy is a necessity considering the rapid advance of information and technology.
Therefore, adjustments are needed to ensure the safety and quality of medicines, traditional medicines, cosmetics, health supplements, and medical device during the delivery process. The delivery is the responsibility of pharmacists.
“The delivery should be followed by a clear written information,” she said at Mercure Hotel Yogyakarta on Sunday (10/21) in the national seminar themed “Electronic-Based Pharmaceutical Care Strategy in Digital Era”.
Dina affirmed that pharmacists must ensure that the medical information is delivered and understood by the patient. Meanwhile, the delivery must also guarantee patient confidentiality.
The national seminar is held by Pharmacious student association of Pharmacy UGM. The theme was raised because pharmaceutical care has expanded its focus from drug-oriented to patient-oriented.
Nada Nisrina, the person in charge of Pharmacious 2018, said the theme was expected to create a comprehensive service to patients and improve their life quality.
“It requires new innovations that are adjusted to technological development in the digital era. One of them is E-Pharmacy. What is needed here is dissemination to introduce the mechanism of E-Pharmacy system that is considered new to the community and pharmacists,” she said.
Nada stated the current problem is the lack of regulation on the mechanism and implementation of E-Pharmacy. This is why people are still questioning about the breakthrough.
“The Health Ministry as the responsible institution should be able to explain the regulation of electronic-based pharmaceutical care in the digital era.”
Roy Himawan, S.Farm., Apt., MKM, Deputy Secretary General of Indonesian Pharmacist Association, added that a pharmacist was required to interact with doctors, dentists, nutritionists, nurses, and others in the health sector. They are expected to formulate health policies together.
“Pharmacists are responsible for medicine quality assurance. The quality must remain the same as it came out of the factory. Unlike clothes, books, or pencils, medicine must be given a human touch,” he added.