Improving the Pharmacists' Response to Public Health Emergencies-Documentary Research on Online Resources Provided by National Pharmacists' Associations.

Objectives: Given the expanding role of pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to investigate the approach of professional associations to supporting their practice and to find ways to improve their response to public health emergencies. Methods: We conducted documentary research on websites of seven national pharmacists' associations, submitted the findings to a comparative thematic analysis, and made proposals of specific good practices. Results: Many great resources were provided by pharmacists' associations in Australia, France, Spain, and the US. The similarities include scientific information on COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, legal issues, and wellbeing management. The main differences were in developing medication management programs, supporting hospital pharmacists, helping families, or advocating for an equitable vaccination. In Finland, Hungary and Romania, the focus was on updating emerging information. Considering the need for better managing public health emergencies at organizational level, we suggested good practices regarding training and communication. Conclusion: Professional associations should develop preparedness and response plans for public health emergencies. Practical training and effective communication could improve the resilience of pharmacists and patients during pandemics, which could save lives.

Research on developing environmental ethics in pharmacists' activities.

BACKGROUND: Authors of various backgrounds are preoccupied with the meaning of environmental ethics, which refers to specific values, norms, attitudes, and practices with respect to all beings and elements of nature. Many international organizations have adopted important documents proclaiming the ethical obligation to protect the environment in all professional activities. At the national level, professional associations should include and develop this obligation in their codes of conduct. This study aimed to analyze and compare elements of environmental protection included in codes of conduct for pharmacists, to find ways to integrate environmental ethics into their activities. METHODS: Seven codes of conduct for pharmacists were analyzed using the comparative method and methods of legal interpretation. Based on acknowledged values and principles of environmental ethics, a framework model for developing environmental protection in pharmacists' activities was created via an iterative process of reflection and discussion. RESULTS: Explicit provisions for environmental ethics were found in codes in force in three countries and in a Romanian project. These provisions refer, in general, to an ethical duty of environmental protection in pharmacists' activities. Regarding the other codes, the study could only interpret stipulations of public health ethics to deduce an ethical environmental obligation. Considering the need for developing such provisions, an ethical framework was proposed as a model for professional associations of pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: The studied codes demonstrate a preoccupation of the professional associations with environmental protection in pharmacists' activities, with different degrees of interest in developing environmental ethics. To this end, the codes of conduct for pharmacists should include environmental values, principles, and ethics guidelines. Those guidelines should indicate the ethical attitude in relation to the environment for each activity. Further research is needed to stimulate, shape, and develop an environmental ethical behavior in pharmacists' practice.

Green pharmacy - a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Active pharmaceutical ingredients are present in various sections of the environment, because of both the human and veterinary use of medicinal products. Ways of minimizing the risk of environmental contamination should be observed during all pharmaceutical activities (research, manufacturing, prescribing, dispensing and disposal of medicinal products). METHODS: For the present study we searched specific literature on this subject, using the main international databases (Thomson Reuters - Web of Science, SCOPUS and Science Direct). RESULTS: This narrative review focuses on the main aspects concerning environmental contamination with medicinal products. Consequently, the present study is structured on four different topics: environmental research on medicinal products, minimizing environmental contamination, waste disposal management and towards a greener community pharmacy. CONCLUSION: Waste management activities are important for reducing the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the environment. Pharmacists should inform patients on proper pharmaceutical waste disposal and organize collection programs for unused and expired medicines, in order to develop a greener pharmacy for the future.