PHARMACY ZONE

Navigating Clinical Pharmacy: Your Essential Resources Guide Introduction Clinical pharmacy, at the intersection of medicine and pharmacy, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. To thrive in this dynamic field, clinical pharmacists must have access to the right resources. In this guide, we'll explore essential resources for clinical pharmacists, empowering them to provide top-notch patient care. Clinical Practice Guidelines Clinical practice guidelines, such as those from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), provide evidence-based recommendations for patient care. These guidelines offer structured, evidence-based approaches to treatment, ensuring the best outcomes for patients. Drug Information Databases Comprehensive drug information databases like Micromedex and Lexicomp are essential for staying updated on medication details. These databases provide drug monographs, int...

Davina Lau is lead pharmacist, oncology, at London Bridge Hospital, a private hospital owned by HCA Healthcare UK. Why did you decide to go into hospital pharmacy? I had a taste of hospital pharmacy as an intern pharmacist (preregistration trainee) in New Zealand so when an opening for a hospital position in Australia came up with an oncology rotation, I applied for it. Back then, few pharmacists were interested in oncology and interns were a novelty because there were so few of us. I went into hospital pharmacy primarily because I was interested in oncology — it was different from what we were exposed to as students and interns. How and why did you become an oncology specialist? I spent several years working in different hospitals in different countries as an oncology, haematology, aseptic and palliative care pharmacist. I also undertook postgraduate courses and attended plenty of after-hour lectures, seminars and conferences in oncology and haematology. I was interest...