Pharmacists in palliative care
Pharmacists facilitate access to drugs and oversee medication management to ensure the safety of patients with palliative care needs (particularly when moving between care settings). They educate patients and carers (about dosing, monitoring, adverse effects, storage and disposal) and can arrange appropriate dose administration aids.
Pharmacists can advise health professionals about suitable drug formulations, drug combinations and routes of administration (eg for patients with swallowing difficulties). They can manufacture drugs, such as sterile products (eg for intrathecal administration), liquid formulations and topical creams.
Pharmacists are skilled at conducting medication reconciliation to ensure a comprehensive list of the medications a person is taking. They can recommend changes to rationalise regimens and improve symptom management.