Internal medicine wards play a crucial role in providing healthcare services
to a substantial number of patients. These wards primarily handle chronic or multiple
diseases, making pharmacotherapy a fundamental approach for the majority of patients.
The significance of clinical pharmacy services becomes particularly evident in these
settings due to various factors, such as the coexistence of multiple diseases, advanced
age, severe illnesses, or polypharmacy, all of which emphasize the importance of
rational drug use. In patient populations with complex treatment regimens, especially
those with specific healthcare needs, the likelihood of encountering drug-related
problems increases, posing challenges to healthcare professionals in achieving
desirable health outcomes. To address these challenges, clinical pharmacists (CPs)
offer a range of essential services within the internal medicine ward. These services
encompass pharmaceutical care, medication management, comprehensive medication
review, medication reconciliation, patient education, and counseling, all aimed at
improving treatment outcomes for patients admitted to the ward. The value and
effectiveness of these services have been extensively discussed in the academic
literature and validated through numerous clinical studies. Clinical pharmacists
working in the internal medicine service are expected to demonstrate strong
competence in managing various conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases, renal failure, liver failure, gastrointestinal diseases, chest diseases, and
hematological diseases. In addition to their clinical expertise, CPs have a critical
responsibility to ensure the rational use of medications and effectively apply their
extensive knowledge of drugs in the clinical setting. By integrating these services into
the daily healthcare routine and strengthening the role of the clinical pharmacist within
the healthcare team, the overall effectiveness of patient treatment can be significantly
enhanced.
Keywords: Asthma, Anemia, Clinical pharmacy, COPD, Geriatric pharmacotherapy, Internal medicine, Kidney failure, Liver failure, Pharmaceutical care.
