Resumen de El Rol de la farmacia comunitaria en salud pública: (el caso del farmacéutico ante las toxicomanías)

Miguel Ángel Gastelurrutia Garralda

• español

  En los últimos años la farmacia comunitaria ha orientado su actividad a garantizar un adecuado uso de los medicamentos por los pacientes. En el campo de las toxicomanías, considerado el drogodependiente como un enfermo crónico, siendo el farmacéutico comunitario un profesional acesible y cercano. Programas como el "kit antisida", de intercambio de jeringuillas, de mantenimiento con Metadona, la campaña del preservativo o el test rápido de VIH en las farmacias son ejemplos de la cada vez mayorr participación del farmacéutico comunitario.

• English

  In recent years, the community pharmacy has aimed its activity at guaranteeing suitable use of medications by patients, at the same time as participating in numerous education and health prevention campaigns aimed at promoting better health and greater well-being among the general public.

  It has also carried out other kinds of activities aimed at detecting hidden pathologies (screening), as well as controlling and assessing useful biochemical parameters to evaluate the effectiveness of the medications that patients are using.

  In the field of drug addiction, considering the drug addict to be a chronically ill patient, and with the community pharmacists being an accessible, familiar health professional, it is easy to think of them as a useful instrument for collaborating in tackling the health and even the social problems of these patients. Programmes such as the so-called "anti-aids kit", the Syringe Exchange, the Methadone Maintenance, the programme for Monitored Treatment with tuberculostatics for patients on the Methadone Maintenance programme, the 3 x 1 condom campaign, or the fast HIV test in chemists are examples of the increasingly greater participation of the pharmaceutical community in care and prevention programmes related to drug addicts, offering their professionalism, accessibility and closeness.

  However, despite the great advances made by the profession, there is still a large field of action for new programmes and activities in which chemists can provide efficiency to the current health system.