Abstract

CLINICAL PHARMACIST INTERVENTIONS IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS – EMPHASIZING THE NEED

Yogavadula S. S.* and Vimal Vijayan

ABSTRACT

A clinical pharmacist provides direct patient care, rational drug treatment and improves health-related quality of life. Psychiatric diseases require a comprehensive approach as they are often accompanied by comorbidities. Usually, schizophrenia is accompanied by depression, which is also overlooked. Additionally, an antipsychotic medication, which is used to treat certain mental illnesses, can cause serious side effects. Because of these complications, psychiatric patients need regular monitoring and comprehensive care. Together with physicians, clinical pharmacists can improve health-related outcomes. In psychiatric settings, clinical pharmacists play an important role in reducing unnecessary costs, ensuring medication adherence, and alleviating polypharmacy. Individual monitoring and follow-ups ensure proper care and treatment for the psychiatric inpatients. Unfortunately, in India, Clinical pharmacists are not generally involved in direct patient care in psychiatric clinics, moreover, some chronic disorders like cancer and diabetes can cause depression or anxiety. A psychiatric pharmacist who is well versed in neuropharmacology can provide appropriate care in this case. This review has emphasized the need for psychiatric clinical pharmacy.

Keywords: Clinical pharmacist, Psychiatric pharmacy, Psychiatric comorbidities, psychiatry, Antipsychotics.