[A pharmacist's proposal for improved pharmacotherapy]

The pharmaceutical sciences have recently made great progresses towards a better knowledge of drug action. For the security of medication, it seems most important that said knowledge should be made available to specialists without delay. This means also that an adequate instruction in pharmacobiological branches is necessary. Cooperation of physicians and pharmacists should be intensified. The latter are in a position to give general information (i.e. critical evaluation of a new drug on the market) as well as specific information (required form of administration, mode of action, biopharmaceutical properties, adequate dosage, adverse effects and probable interactions, alternative medication in case of contraindications, etc.). The medical and pharmaceutical studies today do not sufficiently prepare both professions for such a cooperation. It is therefore highly advisable to coordinate in a better way the education in different sciences. For the time being, pharmacists already have at their disposals a good infrastructure, which comprises the scientific center of the national professional organization. The information of the patient himself should also be developed and intensified, especially with regard to the correct use of drugs, prescribed or OTC. Again, this specific activity needs the close cooperation of physicians and pharmacists. Steady relations between both health professions are thus to be deepened and reinforced for the benefit of the patient.