A Review on the Pharmaceutical Care Services during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines

Abstract

Aims: As a developing country, the Philippines was among the hard-hit countries in the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacists have stressed the significant role they play on the frontlines in the fight to lessen the pandemic's detrimental impacts. Methodology: Using available published materials obtained from various journal databases, this article review identifies and discusses the pharmaceutical care activities of pharmacists during the pandemic caused by COVID-19 in the Philippines. Results: Pharmaceutical care services like teleconsultation and provision of drug information were provided to the public and even to other healthcare professionals through telepharmacy, managing minor illnesses in the community, maintaining patient’s access to prescription and maintenance medications, teaching and campaigning for vaccination, and even receiving training to administer COVID-19 vaccines to assist in the country’s vaccination programs were documented in this review. Conclusion: Indeed, the pandemic has offered a chance to emphasize the critical role pharmacists play in healthcare delivery especially in a country where people perceive pharmacists as merely sellers of medicines.