The Ever Changing Community Pharmacy

Introduction

Rather than writing on personal life stories, this blog focuses on summarising essential facts within the ever-changing medical field.

While medical practices evolve gradually, they can differ significantly 5 years down the line.

Hence, this prompts me to ponder each time I access the blog - where should I begin to revise and enhance?

In today's community pharmacies, numerous supplements have surfaced in the market that were unheard of during my university years.

Furthermore, the native (undenatured) type II collagen form requires doses as low as 40 mg/day, while hydrolysed collagen demands 10 g/day.

The list goes on.

Presently, we confront the challenge of selecting a product from a multitude of options.

Each product boasts appealing properties, yet lacks a direct comparison to ascertain the superior choice.

Nevertheless, I hold onto few convictions.

It is unwise to recommend switching supplements when a customer is benefiting from his current regimen, unless necessary.
The product choice should be made on sound clinical judgment based on the ingredients, instead of solely from price perspective. Hence, it is important to perform own research on evidences to fight against arguments.
New supplements are being introduced to the market all the time, but choose products from reputable companies. Most importantly, the supplements should be registered with NPRA.
There are many supplements on the market that use the same patented ingredients, just with a different mix.
Customer feedbacks from who have experimented with a product proves to be invaluable.

Product recommendations by community pharmacists should not be sale-driven, but service-driven.

Pharmacists should focus on providing their customers with the best possible care and advice, not on making sales.