ABSTRACT
This is a preliminary study to evaluate the role of pharmacist in patient counseling in UAE community pharmacies. A group of five second year students conducted a survey of pharmaceutical consultation carried out in 40 community pharmacies in Ajman and Sharjah /UAE. Forty pharmacists participated in this survey, 24 males and 16 females, 85% were under 40 years and 15% over 40 years. The pharmacists were asked about the type of inquiries from patients and doctors, and also the number of such inquiries per month. 39% of the participants receive inquiries from patients and 61% not receive any inquires. 70% of patients inquiries is regarding drug prescribing and dispensing for a particular case; 50% for dose recommendation; 10% for adverse effect; 10% for drug interaction and 10% for diets to be taken with certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cholesterolemia. The number of inquiries received from doctors about drugs, 51% of participant pharmacists received inquiries from doctors. 51% of the inquiries are regarding drug dose, 28% for drug mode of action and ingredients, 25% for drug interaction. Pharmacists should be well versed with the recent trends in drug therapy, the dosage forms, dosage adverse effects and interactions. The health authorities must seriously think of setting up a drug information center either alone or in collaboration with other teaching institutions/universities with a free access to all the registered pharmacists and pharmacy students