“Know Your Medication 2.0!” - How to Take Medicine Effectively? Listen to the Pharmacists
Since COVID-19 swept the world in 2019, people are paying more attention to the developments of vaccines and rapid antigen tests, and have enhanced their knowledge on pharmaceutical research and the work of pharmacists. In fact, pharmacist practice is closely connected to public health, not just during an outbreak. Noticing that most of the health programmes feature doctors as interviewees, a group of pharmacists who cares a lot about medicines has discovered CIBS and conceived the idea of producing the programme “Know Your Medication”.
The programme series “Know Your Medication” is produced by pharmacists, who also take up the responsibilities of research, script writing and presenting. One of the presenters, Timothy Lee, currently works at a public hospital. He recalls a patient of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complaining of insufficient dosages. The doctor had prescribed seven months of medication, and the pharmacist had explained to the patient that one bottle of medicine should last for about a month. But the patient requested ten inhalers, because, unable to feel the medicine entering his lungs, he often inhaled several times before the symptoms eased off. When Timothy took over, his investigation revealed that the patient was using a Respimat soft mist device, which normally does not produce a sensation of particles or air currents entering the lungs. Timothy said, “At first the patient was very angry. It’s probably because patients don’t understand the properties of certain medications and hence take the wrong dosage at home. Insufficient quantity makes it difficult to bring the disease under control. But we are also concerned that excessive medication may exacerbate side effects.”. Timothy has since kept an eye on this patient, whose most recent follow-up showed that his condition has been under control. That gave Timothy a sense of satisfaction. Inhalers come with different designs, some of which can direct the medicine straight into the lungs to facilitate medicinal effect. Previously, Timothy had never imagined that a patient would take more gasps with the inhaler because he was frustrated by not being able to feel the inhaled medication. He cautioned that patients must follow instructions by pharmacists.
Pharmacist Timothy (right) makes his debut as a radio programme presenter.
Another pharmacist cum presenter Melody Hau has also shared similar experience in the programme. A parent complained that the suppository medication failed to bring down the child’s fever. The parents and medical workers were all very concerned. But after further probing, Melody discovered that the packaging was still on when the medicine was inserted to the child’s rectum. The medicine failed to dissolve and was not providing the treatment intended. Melody said, “Patients, family members or caretakers may not understand things that we pharmacists take for granted. Sometimes when I see a slight frown, I’d try to explain in simpler wordings and provide more detail. The most important thing is to help them avoid similar things from happening again.”
Melody (left) and a colleague at work.
For medicine to take effect, correct usage is only one of the key factors. Some patients may not be able to get their medications at all. In a developed city like Hong Kong, there is a group of people who cannot afford their medicines, especially people of middle or lower-middle income. They are not eligible for financial assistance or fundings from charity, but must rely on expensive drugs for survival. The escalating financial pressure does little to help their treatments. When newer and cheaper remedies become available overseas, local patients often cannot enjoy the benefit as soon as possible. As Donald Chong, a pharmacist with more than two decades of experience in medicine registration, explained, “Introducing new medication to Hong Kong and our public hospitals involves a complex procedure of reviews and legislation. Patients who cannot afford new medication can try to enroll into clinical research. But not all of them are suitable candidates for such research, and it must be conducted in a safe and ethical manner.”
Donald (right) shares his experience as a pharmacist at a multinational enterprise.
These pharmacists, coming from public and private hospitals and pharmaceuticals, are sharing the tidbits of their work and their knowledge on medication for one simple purpose – to enhance public knowledge on medicines and their usage.
