Make lifestyle changes

Pharmacists are also adding their voice to the major issue of Barbadians and non-communicable diseases and they believe that it is important that people take heed advice and make better lifestyle choices.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate at the Hugh Mapp Memorial Lecture at Savannah Hotel, the President the Barbados Pharmaceutical Society, Derek Catlyn said it should not be about pumping your body with medication but making better life choices. “Pharmacists are looking to improve the health literacy of the Barbadian public so that they have a better understanding of their medication and health in general. We do see a lot of persons with non-communicable diseases and it is important that we encourage persons to make lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating healthier, not smoking and drinking less alcohol,” he stated.

The society was formed from 1948 and the President indicated that the main aim is to maintain a high level of education and in “the economic times we find that persons are even demanding more from pharmacist”.

He explained this year’s theme for Pharmacy week was ‘Bridging the Gap Pharmacist Past, Present and Future Ensuring Excellence. The main aim of Pharmacy week is for greater recognition of the role that pharmacists play in the delivery of health care for the Barbadian public and to ensure the continued career development of the profession to meet the standards of pharmacists at the international level.

The role of the pharmacists over the last couple of years has expanded beyond the traditional product oriented functions of dispensing and distributing medicines and health supplies.
“The pharmacist’s services of today include more patient oriented, administrative and public health functions. Pharmacists offer an accessibility that is rare among other health care professionals, the pharmacist has vast amounts of health knowledge which is unique; where the health literacy of patients are improved through education and empowerment.” (NB)