CENTER FOR PHARMACEUTICAL CARE

(CPC)

Background:

India has a fast-growing population of 1.34 billion. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 5.87 million (60%) of all the deaths in India. Cardiovascular diseases (26%), chronic respiratory disorders (13%), cancer (7%), and diabetes (2%) are the leading NCD-related causes of mortality. The prevalence of multiple health conditions often warrant the concurrent use of five or more medicines (polypharmacy), which is the norm in the management of NCDs globally. Concomitant use of western medicine and alternative therapies such as ayurveda could potentially increase the risk for drug interactions and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Prescriber variance from guidelines and patient noncompliance to medicines regimens are major contributors to poor health outcomes.

Medication therapy management (MTM) is known to optimize medicine use and minimize medicine-related problems. Pharmacists in Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America offer MTM as a government-subsidized service; however, MTM services are unavailable in India due to lack of formal credentialing/clinical training for Indian pharmacy students to equip them to provide MTM services. A pharmaceutical care plan aims to provide quality use of medicines during the period of a patient’s admission and during the stay within hospital, followed by discharging into the community or homecare settings. An essential aspect for ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical care involves creating standards for practice to achieve suitable care plan. In India, several PharmD schools have been started in recent years. This creates a scope for conducting focused training programs in the area of pharmaceutical care. The Center for Pharmaceutical Care will be missioned to be a center of excellence for practice; a resource and training center.

Impact and targeted beneficiaries

Effective MTM services to optimize medication use, especially in primary care and tertiary care settings, is essential. The MTM workshop will create awareness among pharmacists about the importance of medication management and the procedures involved. The proposed MTM course will be the first of its kind in India, targeting those who have completed a Masters in Pharmacy Practice or a PharmD. The additional qualification in MTM will equip pharmacists with essential skills in performing a medication history interview, medication reconciliation, medication review, preparation of a clinical management plan, patient education and counselling and communication with the prescriber. MTM will help in improving consumer health, quality of life, optimize the delivery of healthcare and reduce the burden on the health system.

Aim: To assist the physicians in the rational use of drugs (effective, safe, and economical) and apprehend the patient’s choice.

Objectives:

• Research on the practice of pharmacy in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team
• Developing various professional competency assessment tools
• Training for clinical pharmacy professionals and students from India and abroad with global standards
• Conducting regular workshops on Medication Therapy Management and CPE for Practicing Pharmacists
• Providing a platform for academicians, researchers, pharmacy practitioners and students for interactive learning experience through International conference on Clinical Pharmacy (CPCON)

Deliverables:

Short term

• Certificate course in Medication Therapy Management program
• Workshop on Medication Therapy Management
• CPE program for practicing pharmacists in collaboration with Kasturba Hospital, Drug Control Department and Chemists and Druggists Association
• International conference on Clinical Pharmacy (CPCON)

Long term:

• Research grants for establishment of pharmaceutical care plans for high-alert medications in collaboration with Kasturba Hospital (ICMR, BMS-Pfizer RFP scheme)
• Research Grant for establishment of Virtual Pharmacy for training clinical pharmacist in the area of clinical pharmacy practice (AICTE)
• Enrolling Research scholars for PhD every year for implementing pharmaceutical care plans in various clinical departments of Kasturba Hospital
•  Implementation of all research activities into clinical services for patient care
• Converting research activities and clinical services into publication in reputed journals

Coordinator:

Dr. Rajesh V, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, MAHE, Manipal

Co-coordinators:

1. Dr. Sreedharan, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, MAHE, Manipal

2. Dr. Sonal Sekhar M, Assistant Professor (Selection Grade), Department of Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, MAHE, Manipal