Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Eczacılık ve Eczacılık Bilimlerinde Güncel Araştırmalar, Cem YAMALI, Editör, Akademisyen Kitabevi, Ankara, ss.1-11, 2023
Chronic and enduring
psychiatric disorders including psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, and major depression; any mental illness that adversely affects
an individual's social connections, academic accomplishments, and work
performance (1). Individuals living with
these conditions have a life expectancy that is up to 25 years shorter than
that of the general population. This primarily stems from modifiable lifestyle
elements like tobacco use, absence of physical activity, poor eating habits,
antipsychotic medication's adverse reactions, and the stress of living with a
mental illness (2). In 2003, over 450
million individuals worldwide were reported to grapple with mental disorders;
this number is much higher today, and it is emphasized that mental health
medicines account for a significant proportion of the medicines prescribed by
physicians (3). This group exhibits a
notably elevated prevalence of coexisting avoidable chronic ailments, such as
type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular, and respiratory conditions. For this
reason, they have been identified as a major burden on the US economy (2).
Considering the
individual, societal, and financial consequences of people with untreated
psychotic disorders, the involvement of primary healthcare professionals is
essential to guarantee sufficient assistance for this demographic. Healthcare
experts have recognized that people affected by mental health conditions as
individuals presenting some of the most challenging cases for management (4). Moreover, these patients are 1.5 to 10
times more inclined to visit their pharmacist than their primary care physician
(5). The treatment of more serious mental
illnesses, such as schizophrenia, has leaned heavily on pharmacological
methods. (6). However, recent research
has demonstrated the demand for regular management and monitoring by healthcare
professionals is essential. (7).
Psychotropic medication is one treatment for many mental health conditions. The
provision of medication advice and monitoring by pharmacists has been
demonstrated to enhance adherence to psychotropic medication and reduce
problems of medication misuse (8-11).
Professionals in the mental health field, including doctors and nurses, hold
positive expectations regarding pharmacists' role in managing medication side
effects and enhancing the quality of care. (12).
The International Pharmaceutical Federation published an extensive global
assessment of mental health-oriented programs and services offered by community
pharmacists in 2015. The report identified various responsibilities for
pharmacists within their professional domain: health promotion, prioritization,
and early diagnosis, identifying and managing medication requirements and
issues, optimizing treatment outcomes related to medications through follow-up
assessments of effectiveness, safety, and support for adherence, providing
health and medication education, participating in collaborative patient health
care, contributing to policy development, and conducting research (13). In addition, the World Health
Organization acknowledges the engagement of pharmacists as engaged participants
in the healthcare team as a strategy for enhancing the utilization of
psychotropic medications (14).