ISLAMABAD: To standardize hospital pharmacy services across the country, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has finalized guidelines on standards for the establishment of such establishments to provide quality medicines to patients.
The guidelines outline a comprehensive set of services expected from hospital pharmacy departments, aiming to ensure consistent, high-quality pharmacy services across all hospitals, ultimately benefiting patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
The guidelines encompass four primary areas -- hospital pharmacy operations, which include aspects such as organizational structure, staffing, resources, policies, and procedures for managing medications from procurement and storage to dispensing and monitoring.
Medicine use management focuses on optimizing medication use within the hospital, involving procedures for medication reconciliation, identifying potential issues, and implementing strategies to improve medication effectiveness and avoid medication-related harm.
Quality improvement emphasizes continuous enhancement by outlining practices for assessing the effectiveness of hospital pharmacy services, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.
Finally, human resources development is crucial for ensuring a competent and skilled pharmacy workforce, addressing training and development programs for all pharmacy personnel, from pharmacists to technicians.
These guidelines were uploaded on the Drap website and shared with stakeholders as a draft document for their input and comments in January 2024.
After careful consideration of comments and deliberation through multiple virtual meetings, these guidelines have been finalized and are now being circulated as a guidance document providing minimum standards for the establishment and functioning of hospital pharmacies in the country.
