The Role of Pharmacists in AIDS Care Delivery

Abstract

The delivery of a national quality comprehensive primary health care system for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the year 2000 requires major alteration in the attitudes of all health care professionals worldwide. HIV infection and related illnesses continue to cause high rates of morbidity and mortality, and therapeutic management of these patients requires a wide array of drugs and medications. Such drug treatments include physician-prescribed drugs, investigational drugs, alternative and complementary therapies, and drugs acquired as a result of information obtained through the AIDS underground networks. As the number of infected people continues to rise, we see more polytherapy among patients. This necessitates the involvement of clinical pharmacists who have the expertise to provide high quality pharmaceutical care to these patients. Although widespread effort is being devoted to the management of HIV/AIDS patients through formation of national comprehensive health care delivery teams, pharmacists have generally been excluded from such teams. This paper outlines the specific capabilities of pharmacists that highlight their significant contributions to the successful management of these patients. Also, these capabilities put pharmacists in a position to be included as members of these health care delivery teams. The pharmacy profession therefore needs to be included in the U.S. Public Health Services sponsored AIDS Education and Training Center (ETC) programs. By using the pharmacist's role and services, quality of life and the morbidity and mortality rates will improve in these patients.