| 19th Singapore Pharmacy Congress Opens |
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The Straits Times Oct 19, 2007 by Judith Tan This, said the chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, Madam Halimah Yacob, will help keep drug costs down. This, said the chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, Madam Halimah Yacob, will help keep drug costs down. She said drug use will increase with the ageing population, and more people will resort to self-treatment for minor ailments. Pharmacists can play a role by helping to determine what medicines are needed, and what are not. Speaking at the opening of the 19th Singapore Pharmacy Congress on Friday night, Madam Halimah said by doing this, medical bills will be cut and mistreatment or over-treatment can be avoided. Citing the example of the drug used in treating high blood pressure, she said patients in a public hospital pay only 55 cents for a 60mg tablet of Nifedipine, compared to $1.63 a tablet for the original brand Adalat. 'This translates into a saving of $32.40 per patient per month - or $6.2 million in savings a year for patients in public sector institutions alone,' she noted. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, in 2006 alone, there were at least 100,000 documented interventions by pharmacists in public sector institutions. These ranged from inappropriate dosage and duplication of therapy to advice on drug interactions. This check and balance is critical in ensuring appropriate use of medicines.
The Straits Times, Oct 20, 2007 by Judith Tan Pharmacists can serve as doc-patient 'bridge' IT TOOK a sharp-eyed pharmacist to spot that she had been prescribed the wrong medication for her gestational diabetes. The incident, which happened 20 years ago at the then Kandang Kerbau Hospital, was cited last night by Madam Halimah Yacob, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health. She was sharing the anecdote with assembled guests at the 19th Singapore Pharmacy Congress. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, last year alone, pharmacists caught at least 100,000 prescription errors - like inaccurate dosages, or duplicated drugs - in the public sector hospitals and clinics. Lauding the importance of their role in health care last night, Madam Halimah said they were the bridge between doctors and patients. Pharmacists could help optimise treatment and lower costs at the same time. And theirs was a particularly vital role now, with an ageing population needing more drugs. Pharmacists are needed to help sort out and determine what medicines are needed, and what are not, she said. Madam Halimah said that one way to lower the costs of drugs is for pharmacists to offer patients generic medicine substitution. 'They can also offer drugs that have become off-patent but remain equally effective in the treatment of the condition. This, of course, is done in consultation with the doctors and patients,' she added. Citing the example of the drug used in treating high blood pressure, Madam Halimah said patients in a public hospital pay only 55 cents for a 60mg tablet of Nifedipine, a treatment for hypertension, compared to $1.63 a tablet for the original brand, Adalat. There are 500 participants from seven countries, including Singapore, attending the three-day congress. Comments (1)
Dr Md Shahinul Haque Khan: Doctor in Medicinal Plants Chemistry
To increase the synthesis the active raw materials in the own countries. Give the opportunity to accommodate the more chemist, biochemist and pharmacist from Asia like Bangladesh, India & pakistan to decrease the cost in formulation of drug. Beacause they will demand less salary.
1
October 29, 2007
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