Assignment task:
Choose one out of the four core characteristics of a profession and briefly explain pharmacy as a profession based on RA 10918: Philippine Pharmacy Act. Cite the part of the this Act used as your reference (e.g. Article III Section 13. Licensure Examination Requirement)
Format:
Core characteristics:
Explanation:
REFERENCE:
Pharmacy as a profession
Pharmacy as an occupation possesses a number of characteristics of a profession as defined by the 'trait' approach. We can explore these under the Republic Act No. 10918, also known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act Pharmacy. This act promotes the professional service of pharmacists as an indispensable component of the total health care system to ensure the physical well-being of the Filipinos.
1. Specialized knowledge and lengthy training
The undergraduate pharmacy degree course lasts four years and is followed (unless incorporated into a university specialized program) by internship program and a licensure examination. Successful completion of this extensive period of training and examination develops and nurtures competent, productive, morally upright, and well-rounded pharmacists whose standards of professional practice and service shall be excellent and globally competitive.
2. Service orientation
Pharmacists provide a range of pharmaceutical services, including the provision of safe, effective, and quality pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical care, drug information, patient medication counseling, and health promotion. Recently, the concepts of pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management have been introduced to encompass this range of services and highlight pharmacists' direct responsibility and accountability to patients for the outcomes of drug therapy.
3. Self-regulation
The Republic Act No. 10918 also known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act provides for and shall govern the
Standardization and regulation of pharmacy education;
Administration of licensure examination, registration, and licensing of pharmacists;
Supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines;
Development and enhancement of professional competence of pharmacists through continuing professional development, research, and other related activities; and
Integration of the pharmacy profession.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), administer and implement the provisions of this Act. The Board also regulate and monitor the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines; prepare licensure examination questions, score, and rate the examination; and recommend the issuance, suspension, revocation, or reinstatement of the Certificate of Registration (COR), Professional Identification Card (PIC) or Special/Temporary Permits (STP) for the practice of pharmacy;
4. Monopoly of practice
The pharmacy profession shall be integrated into one accredited professional organization (APO), the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA). A pharmacist duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the PPhA of pharmacists, and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of the required fees and dues. All pharmacists must be members of the PPhA and must maintain membership throughout the duration of the practice of the profession.