Five things you didn’t know about pharmacists and how they can help with hormone-related conditions
The origin of pharmacists is ancient and stems from the first person who extracted juice from a leaf to apply it to a wound. Since then, this art has been practiced, leading to certain people mixing ingredients together to form remedies and as of today we know them as an apothecary or a pharmacist. The development of the pharmaceutical industry led to the discovery of new and effective drug substances, which in turn also changed the role of the pharmacist. The choice for extemporaneous compounding of medicines was much lessened and with it the need for the manipulative skills that were previously applied by the pharmacists. The pharmacist continues, however, to fulfil the prescriber’s intentions by providing advice and information through formulating, storing, and providing correct dosage forms, and by assuring the efficacy and quality of the dispensed or supplied medicinal product.(1)
Fast forward to today, not only can you find pharmacists in hospital and community settings, but also working in areas such as research, academia, public health, veterinary pharmacy, and even the military. Pharmacists can also specialise in a specific discipline, such as hormones, and their expertise is becoming increasingly sought after, as GP appointments are becoming ever more difficult to book.
Hormone imbalances affect many women and even men at various points throughout their lifetime. The healthcare provider may prescribe conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), available on the NHS, or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) available from a compounding pharmacy such as Specialist Pharmacy. Compounded hormones are a great option for patients who cannot tolerate HRT, due to reasons such as allergy to one or more of the ingredients or even the inability to adhere to the specific dosage form, as they can be created to meet unique hormone needs.
With so many options for BHRT available, what role should pharmacists play in treatment management of men and women suffering from hormonal imbalances? Let’s look at five things you may not know about pharmacists and how they can specifically help you with hormone related conditions:
- Pharmacists can formulate new hormone formulations.
Pharmacists can formulate a personalised hormone medication with the best delivery method for the patient. From a patient being allergic to one or more of the excipients in their usual hormone preparation to being unable to take a certain dosage form, a pharmacist can work with the prescriber to understand the patient’s specific needs. This is a truly personalised approach and empowers patients by giving them the opportunity to discuss their needs directly with a pharmacist. Therefore, leading to improved compliance and therefore better overall treatment outcomes.