Did you know? Irrational use of medicines (like overprescribing antibiotics or self-medicating) is one of the biggest reasons for drug resistance and adverse effects.
Here’s where pharmacists play a vital role:
Guiding patients on correct drug use
Preventing harmful drug interactions
Ensuring the right dose, right time, right duration
Educating communities about safe medication practices
Pharmacists aren’t just “dispensers” — they’re key healthcare professionals in safeguarding patient safety.
In your opinion, is the role of pharmacists in India truly recognized, or still undervalued?
Pharmacists do more than dispense they ensure drugs are used wisely and safely:
They help select the most suitable medication to avoid mismatched or unnecessary prescriptions.
By providing medication counseling, they guide patients through side effects, possible interactions, and proper dosing.
They support antimicrobial stewardship, helping curb resistance by preventing inappropriate antibiotic use.
In India’s rural settings, pharmacists often serve as the frontline medical touchpoint, screening symptoms, advising on common illnesses, and steering patients to the right care.
This is true. Pharmacists are often seen as behind the scene workers but in reality they play a vital role in preventing mental errors and educating patients. In India, they are somewhat undervalued and people should know how important their role is in public health.
The role of pharmacists in India is still under valued. Pharmacists play an important role in developing medications, educating people about the medications, clinical trials, dispensing and many more.
I think pharmacists are still undervalued in our society. If someone choose pharma stream, they simply ask them “oh then you work at pharmacy stores?” even i am fed up with listening all these when I am pursuing my Bachelor of Pharmacy and even now i can see relatives asking me the same question. Yes, they are not just dispensers, but they are also considered as healthcare professionals.
I completely agree that pharmacists are undervalued. They play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety by providing important guidance on medication usage, including when to take each drug, whether it should be taken before or after meals, and the timing of doses. I hope their contributions are recognized and appreciated more.
Guiding patients on correct drug use