Hospital Pharmacy is a key subject in D. Pharmacy, and understanding the hospital managements and the pharmacies involved in it are clearly important than just memorizing. In this post, Hospital Pharmacy Important questions are explained in simple language, which is useful for MSBTE, AKTU, BTEUP, RUHS and other state boards.
1) Hospital Pharmacy: Definition, Scope, and Functions
Hospital pharmacy is a specialized department within a hospital organization that is managed under the supervision of a professionally competent and legally qualified pharmacist. It is responsible for ensuring safe, effective, and economical use of medicines for patient care.
Scope of Hospital Pharmacy
The scope of hospital pharmacy extends beyond drug supply to comprehensive patient-oriented services. It ensures that the right medicine is provided to the right patient, in the right dose, at the right time, and at minimum possible cost. Hospital pharmacy plans and implements pharmacy policies, executes decisions of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, participates in research activities, and supports hospital administration. It also functions as a patient counseling and drug information center, contributes to in-house manufacturing of suitable dosage forms including large volume parenterals, and supports the hospital financially by operating as a controlled profit center.
Functions of Hospital Pharmacy
Hospital pharmacy plays a vital role in patient care by assisting in treatment of sick and injured patients and supporting restoration and maintenance of health. It provides pharmaceutical services aimed at relief from disease and pain, reduces disease incidence through early detection and rational therapy, and helps prevent the spread of diseases. The department maintains and distributes the hospital formulary, supports medical and pharmaceutical research, trains healthcare professionals, and ensures high standards of medicine use. It also provides services to both inpatients and outpatients, conducts public health education and vaccination programs, and acts as a link between the community, health agencies, and smaller hospitals.
2) Pharmacovigilance: Definition, Aim, and Scope
Pharmacovigilance is the science and set of activities concerned with the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse drug reactions and other drug-related problems.
Aims of Pharmacovigilance
The primary aim of pharmacovigilance is to improve patient safety and quality of care. It focuses on early detection of previously unknown adverse drug reactions, assessment of their frequency and severity, and reduction of medicine-related risks. Pharmacovigilance supports public health safety by providing reliable drug safety information to healthcare professionals and patients, thereby promoting rational and safe use of medicines.
Scope of Pharmacovigilance
The scope includes continuous monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reactions, evaluation of benefit–risk profiles of medicines, and creation of awareness among healthcare professionals about ADR reporting systems. It generates evidence-based safety recommendations, communicates findings to regulatory authorities and stakeholders, and helps establish a strong national drug safety monitoring framework.
3) Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) in Hospitals
Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) refers to the practice of pharmacy that meets the health needs of patients by providing optimal, evidence-based pharmaceutical care in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
WHO Recommendations for GPP
According to WHO, professional responsibility should be the core philosophy of pharmacy practice. Pharmacists must be actively involved in decisions related to medicine use, and professional relationships should be based on therapeutic partnerships with patients and other healthcare professionals. Collaboration among pharmacists and effective communication of accurate, relevant patient information are essential elements of GPP.
Elements and Roles under GPP
GPP emphasizes promotion of good health, rational supply and use of medicines, support for self-care, and influence on rational prescribing. Pharmacists contribute by ensuring safe handling and management of medicines, providing effective and evidence-based therapy, maintaining professional competence, participating in clinical trials, and strengthening the overall healthcare system.
Requirements for Implementing GPP
Successful implementation of GPP requires clean, well-identified pharmacy premises, availability of appropriate equipment, supervision by a qualified pharmacist, proper storage and inventory management, patient-oriented service delivery, and accurate documentation and record keeping.
4) Drug Related Problems (DRPs): Definition and Classification
A drug-related problem (DRP) is any event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with the achievement of desired health outcomes.
Classification of Drug Related Problems
Drug-related problems include situations where additional drug therapy is required or where drug therapy is unnecessary. They may arise due to selection of the wrong drug, administration of too low or too high doses, occurrence of adverse drug reactions, or presence of clinically significant drug interactions. Other common DRPs include patient non-compliance, lack of proper therapeutic monitoring, and incomplete or unclear prescriptions.
5) Hospital Formulary: Definition, Aims, and Importance
A hospital formulary is a continuously revised, officially approved list of medicines and pharmaceutical dosage forms that provides current information and clinical guidance to prescribers, pharmacists, and nursing staff within a hospital.
Aims and Importance of Hospital Formulary
The hospital formulary aims to provide effective treatment at the lowest possible cost while promoting rational drug use. It informs healthcare professionals about available medicines, standard dosages, adverse effects, and reported adverse drug reactions. The formulary helps prevent brand and therapeutic duplication, guides procurement, prescribing, dispensing, and administration of drugs, and provides clear instructions for emergency medicines. It also improves communication among healthcare staff and supports consistent, high-quality patient care.
📥 Download PDF Notes
For exam-ready revision, you can download the complete Hospital Pharmacy Important Questions PDF from the link below.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for chapter wise Hospital Pharmacy Important questions and other important topics.