Osteoarthritis as a part of everyday pharmacy practice

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of pain and disability of older people in the world. OA therapy involves hiring a team of healthcare professionals in order to facilitate complaints and improve the quality of life of patients. In the primary healthcare level in a pharmacy open, a pharmacists in daily practice has an important role in the treatment of people with OA. Has a special place in educating patients about the disease, advising on the implementation of non-pharmacological measures, such as proper nutrition and physical activity required. It also contributes to advising on the choice of dietary supplements and recommendations for the use of drug that can be bought without a prescription and facilitate the everyday difficulties of living with OA. With regard to pharmacotherapy, patients at the pharmacy receive instructions on proper use of prescribed drugs or in self-medication, precautions, possible side effects and possible interactions of drugs applied. Thus, a pharmacist in a pharmacy is part of a team of healthcare professionals, each of which with its various areas of expertise involved in the treatment of OA, which should result in reducing the intensity of pain, mobility correction, further minimizing the functional impairment, and improvement in the quality of life of the patient.