Sanofi-Aventis, King Abdulaziz University join hands to upgrade pharmacists' skills

The landmark healthcare program aims to upgrade the skills and knowledge of pharmacists so they can effectively and readily assist patients.

Dr. Rashid Khan, Marketing Manager at Sanofi-Aventis, said:

"A community pharmacist is the professional who would be in direct access to the public and whose duties are widely sought after by the public and patients. Pharmacist dispenses medicines with a prescription and in certain cases without a prescription where applicable (Over the Counter medicines).As such, he has to play an important role in health care system."

In this regard, Professor Ahmed El-Berry, head of Clinical Pharmacy Department of College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University Hospital explained that reliance on pharmacists in our society is increasing considerably, such that consulting a pharmacist has become preferred over visiting the doctor, pointing out that this phenomenon is incorrect not favorable for the patient.

He said, "If the patient's case is simple, then the pharmacist can deal with it quickly and easily as some cases, such as minor cold or light cough, do not necessarily require a doctor's expertise; but some cases require the expertise of seasoned and trained doctors who can effectively diagnose the disease and provide the right medications and treatment."

Meanwhile, Professor Ahmed El-Berry stressed that medications can not be taken without consulting a doctor, because medications can have different effects on different people. "We can not find a single drug that is suitable for all people; a medicine may help some patients and yet be harmful to others," he said.

Professor Mohammed Mustafa, Head of Continuous Education Department at College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University complimented Sanofi-Aventis initiative and pointed out that there have been a number of significant medical breakthroughs that pharmacists need to cope with, "Therefore, pharmacists must be kept updated through campaigns and programs that help develop and improve their performance and awareness, as their role has become in some cases of equal importance to the role of the doctor."

Sanofi-Aventis Health Ambassador program will be continuous education for pharmacists comprising of medical and pharmacy management related topics through series of lectures all over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.