Netcare St Augustine’s celebrates Pharmacy Month

SEPTEMBER is National Pharmacy Month, a period of creating awareness on various health matters and how pharmacy professionals – pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel – as healthcare professionals can help enrich the health of communities.

Pharmacy Month forms part of the official South African Health calendar. Pharmacy Month is a unique opportunity to market the pharmacy profession, bringing together pharmacists from all sectors to communicate to the public the value that the profession brings in providing quality healthcare.

This year’s theme is ‘Women and Youth Health’, and pharmacies across South Africa have embarked on campaigns to spread awareness about women’s and children’s health.

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According to Farzana Docrat, Ward Pharmacist at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, Pharmacy Month helps to shine a light on the importance of the role pharmacies and pharmaceutical professionals play in the industry of medicine and healthcare.

“Pharmacy Month is a month to celebrate the role of pharmacy personnel in healthcare as the custodians of medication, and how they are accessible to all. Pharmacists are a fundamental asset to the healthcare team in ensuring appropriate patient therapy. We also have a responsibility to empower patients by advising them and providing information not only about their medicine, but also about healthy living, vaccinations and more. The theme for this year’s Pharmacy Month is ‘Women and Youth Health’, and it highlights the fact that pharmacies are vital in helping anyone to access healthcare, and that pharmacy professionals are approachable to discuss sensitive matters confidentially,” said Docrat.

Docrat has been in the pharmaceutical industry for a decade and has always had an interest in medicine. ” I have been working in pharmacy for 10 years, inspired by my passion for medicine and the self-fulfillment I find in guiding and assisting others, including advising and educating patients to help improve their health and well-being.”

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Hospital Initiatives

Netcare St Augustine’s will be carrying out various initiatives to commemorate the nationally observed month of awareness. “At Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital pharmacy, this month, we are celebrating Pharmacy Month by educating hospital staff and the public around this year’s theme. We are encouraging awareness of how our pharmacies are a safe space for women, youth and all South Africans to discuss any topics relating to their well-being, ranging from gender-based violence (GBV), HIV, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, addiction and mental health, to medication affordability, among others.”

“In keeping with the theme ‘Women and Youth Health’ and wanting to give back to the community, we are collecting sanitary pads for distribution. We welcome any donation and would like to encourage those donating to attach a note of hope to their contribution. If you would like to get involved, the drop-off point for sanitary pad donations is at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital retail pharmacy. In addition, we have incorporated educational team-building activities for the pharmacy staff to keep the momentum of Pharmacy Month going and to display our appreciation for their dedication and hard work,” said Docrat.

As a pharmacy professional, she offers some advice particularly for woman and children. “Our message to all women is to take some moments for your physical and mental well-being. Find something that you enjoy and pursue it. It is also extremely important to ensure that you routinely visit your gynaecologist and have a pap smear test to screen for cervical cancer risk, and a mammogram to screen for breast cancer, as early detection can save lives. To the youth, I would like to say: you are our future. Don’t hesitate to speak confidentially and seek advice regarding sensitive topics from your pharmacist.”