HKUMed UG Prospectus 2020

40 WHAT IS PHARMACY? Pharmacy is the health profession that links the basic health sciences with the clinical application of drug treatment. It is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of drugs. Traditionally pharmacy mainly represented the compounding and dispensing of therapeutic agents. However, modern pharmacy now emphasises on the provision of optimal pharmaceutical care to patients. This means the responsible provision of drug therapy to achieve definite outcomes that improve a patient’s life expectancy and or his her quality of life. These outcomes are! (i) the treatment of diseases" (ii) the elimination or reduction of symptoms" (iii) arresting or slowing the disease process" and (iv) disease prevention health promotion. As health care develops towards the individualised rational use of therapeutic agents, the role and responsibilities of pharmacists are of increasing importance. Wynne Hui B7harm 015 7harmacist, Regulatory Affairs, DKSH Hong Kong 3imited “)rom oijering professional advices for common illnesses at community pharmacy, to researching on new treatments for life threatening diseases, pharmacist impacts people’s lives in diijerent aspects every day. This is a profession with huge diversity that , am honoured to be a part of.”