Pharmacist Action on Awarness, Prevention and Counselling for HIV/AIDS

A pharmacist is a crucial and a focal point in the community. Practically everyone in the population comes in contact with him at some point of time, i.e. whenever any medicine or baby product is required. The outreach of this person is tremendous. We at this point of time are still facing the problem of lack of knowledge/ information on this issue with the general population. This is compounded by the fact that the information is laden with misconceptions on the subject. Pharmacists deal with people from all sections of society and largely those who are ignorant on the issue of HIV/AIDS and therefore they can be a powerful medium for spreading the message on awareness, prevention and counseling. 

Role of Pharmacist:

1. A center for exposing people to HIV/AIDS information through the display of Information Education and Communicating Posters (IECP) material as well as by keeping leaflets on the counter for the people to pick up for themselves.
2. When a syringe is sold, information on the safe use of a new needle and disposable syringe could be disseminated to the customer along with the information to destroy the same, to avoid recycling.
3. With every sale of a condom, educate the person on its correct use, as people mostly feel that they know how to use it but are not aware of the correct way along with the basics such as not reusing the condom, not to apply a lubricant, checking the expiry date as well as disposal of the same after use.
4. Condoms should not be hidden under the shelf; rather they should be kept prominently for people to get used to seeing them in the open. When the media can openly display advertisements of condoms, why can’t a pharmacy display the same? May be this will help people break mindsets and barriers for the same.
5. Information could be given when a drug related to STD is sold. Here a message for the complete course of medication along with treatment for spouse could be given. Further, the benefit of using a condom could be emphasised for the prevention of STDs.
6. The pharmacist, besides giving information and clearing doubts of those people who seek clarification on the disseminated information on a product related in some way to HIV/AIDS and its related issues, can also serve as a focal person for providing information on care of those infected as well as on how to take care of the affected family.
7. Living in the community, the pharmacist could initiate a social support group for those infected, reducing stigma related to the infection. Further, he/she could also be a trainer for people in the community for home-based care (hospice), which reduces the financial burden on the family.
8. The pharmacist is in a position to emphasise the availability of balanced and cheap nutrition, as drugs by themselves can’t help a person regain strength. It has been observed that people are generally unaware of nutrition facts. A poster regarding the same too could be displayed for people to read and understand.
9. People have faith in the pharmacist as he/she dispenses drugs for various ailments. This way we are targeting not just HIV/AIDS but all other infections, which often precipitate the onset of major illnesses. In such instances, documentation of any STD or HIV case should also be done. People generally go to the pharmacists, describe the symptoms and ask for the appropriate drug.
10. Once noted the case could be forwarded to the appropriate agency for further follow up. It should be so planned that the person comes back to the drug store every 3/5 days. This will help in seeing the progress of the person and could also be an avenue for counseling regarding the infection. Education input at this point could help reduce the number of recurring cases, new infection and increase of condom use, preventing spread as well as population control. 

All these will help in developing positive attitudes towards the people infected as well as affected. It should not be misunderstood that the pharmacist has to do each and every activity stated above. In a day, may be just one of the many may require his input. And some days may be all or a few. He/she should judge the situation and then provide the necessary input. 

Source: FIP-HIV/AIDS Care
by
Dr.Akshaya Srikanth,
Pharm.D

India