Pharmacy Day!

 Tuesday, I worked with Rachel in the pharmacy- Finally! 

We filled the order for the Pharmacy Store which functions as both the inpatient & retail pharmacy for Ilula Hospital.  The pharmacy store sent us an electronic request for meds. We printed the list and then went to the storeroom to fill it. Each med we filled was recorded on the paper inventory document for that medication. It didn't take much to deliver the meds since the pharmacy store is just across the hall from the store room.

For hospital patients, a relative takes the doctor's prescription to the pharmacy store and buys the medication, then takes it back to the patient ward for the nurse to administer. If there is no relative, then the nurse will come to the pharmacy-  but this is rare. 

Next we were visited by a pair of pharmaceutical representatives. They were peddling many products and promised a 'cheaper price' even though they did not know how much Ilula pays for the same medications. After Rachel shook them off (another similarity to what we do in the US), she told me she and Frank (head pharmacist) would review the current pricing from the government supplier of meds and if these were cheaper - they would buy from these reps.

The outpatient department (OPD) came to the office with a list of requests for both supplies and meds. We filled most of their requests- but we were out of artesunate injection which is the treatment for severe malaria. So Rachel and I got a ride from the ambulance to Ilula Health Center (clinic/dispensary) about 10 minutes away to borrow the drug. This med is provided free from the government to make sure everyone can be treated for malaria. They gave us 50 vials (about half of their supply) which will hopefully last about 1 month.

Rachel and I talked about what we liked about being pharmacists and about the similarities & differences in our healthcare systems. We both agreed . . . the worst part of our jobs is running out of the medications we need. I am so grateful to Rachel for teaching me about pharmacy in TZ and letting me help her for a day!