Community Pharmacy Research Paper

Introduction

In the 21st century, many patients visit the community pharmacy and request the medications and any health related advice such as taking dietary supplements or advice about their sign and symptoms. Community pharmacy is a pharmacy that deals directly with people in the local area. There are many responsibilities for community pharmacy which includes compounding, checking and dispensing of prescription medicines or providing counseling and drug information service to the patients with care, accuracy and legality to promote safe and effective pharmaceutical care. Community pharmacists are the primacy health care provider which are most accessible to the public by supplying medicines with a valid prescription or selling them without

The common gastroenterology minor ailments are constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, gastric pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Constipation is known as decrease in bowel movement frequency or having pain during defecation. This is because the stool is harden due to accumulation of intestinal contents. Constipation is caused by dehydration, deficiency of fiber and frequent suppression of the urge to defecate. Laxatives such as bisacodyl, lactulose, senna and psyllium are the drug of choice in the treatment of constipation. Diarhhoea is the condition with increased frequency o f bowel evacuation and passing of abnormally watery stools. In the community pharmacy, the pharmacists normally dispense oral rehydrating agents which consist of electrolytes and water to replenish and prevent dehydration. Activated charcoal is given for antidiarrheal. Besides, gastric pain is considered as most common gastroenterology minor ailments and it is mostly caused by hyperacidity. It is a dull and sharp pain which happens in the upper and middle region of the abdomen. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the abnormal backflow of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus and causes inflammation on the esophageal wall. Antacids such as aluminium salt and magnesium salt; proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole; and H2 blockers such as cimetidine and ranitidine are used in the treatment for