14 general tasks of the clinical pharmacists in Vietnam

14 general tasks of the clinical pharmacists in Vietnam (Internet image)

Article 5 of Circular 31/2012/TT-BYT stipulates 14 general tasks of the clinical pharmacists in Vietnam include:

1. Participate in the analysis and evaluation of the drug use process.

2. Participate in consultation during the process of developing the unit’s list of drugs and provide opinions or information based on the evidence on which drugs should be included or excluded from such list, in order to ensure a safe, reasonable and effective use of drugs.

3. Participate in developing the specialized processes related to the use of drugs: drug preparation process (for Pediatrics, Specialized Oncology, artificial feeding other than gastrostomy feeding), treatment guidelines and technical process of the hospital.

4. Participate in developing the process of supervising the use of listed drugs (including the drugs which have narrow therapeutic index, serious side effects, are antibiotics and drugs requiring special preparation methods (pediatrics, oncology) and drugs requiring special preservation conditions). Such list of drugs is promulgated by the Director of the hospital as guided by the Drugs and Treatment Council.

5. Provide guidelines and supervision for the use of drugs in the hospital.

6. Drug information for patients and medical employees: the clinical pharmacists must be updated with the information on drug use and new drugs, as well as warnings about drugs which are sent to the medical employees and patients in different forms, such as: in person, in writing, in the hospital news, via emails, through pictures and photos, in guidelines and on websites.

7. Trainings in clinical pharmacy: the clinical pharmacists shall make plans, prepare documents and update knowledge on the use of drugs for doctors, pharmacists, nurses, technicians and midwives. Such plans and contents must be approved by the Director of the hospital.

8. Provide monthly, quarterly, annual and surprise reports as required by the Board of Directors and the Drug and Treatment Council: the clinical pharmacists shall report about the drug use activities during the meeting with the Drug and Treatment Council or during the standard meeting of the unit, as well as providing opinions about the cases where drugs are not properly used.

9. Monitor the adverse reactions of drugs (ADR) and be the key pharmacist to report about the ADRs at the unit, according to the current regulations.

10. Participate in the scientific research activities and works, especially the trials which are related to the safe and reasonable use of drugs, to the quality improvement and effectiveness enhancement of clinical pharmacy activities and clinical drug trials.

11. Participate in specialized consultation about drugs, especially in cases where the diseases are severe or require special drugs, or the patients are infected with drug-resistant bacteria.

12. Participate in the periodic clinical case study in the hospital.

13. Strictly supervise the compliance with the drug use process which is adopted by the Drug and Treatment Council and approved by the Director of the hospital.

14. Participate in developing and carrying out the treatment supervision process by observing the drug concentration in the blood (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring – TDM) at the hospitals which have the capability to carry out TDM.

More details can be found in Circular 31/2012/TT-BYT, which comes into force from February 4, 2013.

Le Vy

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