Question

1.   Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of computers in a local pharmacy:

            (a)        from the pharmacist’s point of view

            (b)       from the customer’s point of view

2   Currently, physicians learn about medications from pharmaceutical representatives who bring samples and educate about the drugs they are representing. How would you prevent pharmaceutical companies from influencing what medications doctors dispense to their patients?

Answer 1

	from the pharmacist’s point of view	from the customer’s point of view
Advantages of Introduction of Computers in a Local Pharmacy	They can perform various Pharmaceutical analysis, Medical Diagnosis and Data analysis with visualization. Serve patients with keeping records of medicine distribution, customer profile, address, contact, etc. They can build historical repository. Serve customer fast and improve service level.	As service level usually gets improved, customer satisfaction level will be increased. It can reduce waiting time in system and queue. Data management gets easier, hence, for return customer; they need to focus on paper documentation.
Disadvantages of Introduction of Computers in a Local Pharmacy	Require initial heavy cost expenditure or investment. Training needed for staffs Old age people may be less comfortable with computer system. Any conflict could delay in delivery of medicines.	Due to any faulty use, customer may be affected. System cost may be increased and customer will pay for. Only customers who are familiar with digital system, they will be benefited.

To prevent influences of pharmaceutical companies, doctors should follow various practices, these are as stated below:

• Doctors should understand the disease of patients, evaluate such things much carefully, further, they should perform root cause analysis and check that whether disease really needs serious drugs or not.
• Doctors should use such medicines which are clearly verified and approved by various independent drugs NGO. They should read composition of each medicine and do little research with such medicine.
• When doctors are offering any new medicine to the patients, they should suggest them to take for some days and after completion, they should ask for reports and check efficacy of such medicines.
• Doctors should build formal practices for keeping entire process/system much ethical and effective. With such practices, they can prevent influences of pharmaceutical companies while suggesting medicines to patients.