Why do we need a pharmacist database and a reminder of the pharmacist’s job description?

Abstract

Exact number of masters of pharmacy, level of their education, and jobs they are engaged in is not known in Serbia. The number of pharmacists employed in health institutions in Serbia is known (data is regularly updated by Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia (FCC) because pharmacists must be licensed and registered). According to the FCC, in Serbia, there are 6,814 Masters of Pharmacy licensed to work in healthcare institutions. However, their arrangement and number by pharmacy, type and level of services are unknown. Although all health institutions are now obliged to register through Business Registers Agency, actual number of pharmacies and number of responsible pharmacists per pharmacy remained invisible. The big question is whether all masters of pharmacy are aware of their legal obligations, responsibilities, and professional opportunities. The number of masters of pharmacy employed in other sectors is completely unknown. There is no register of colleagues with completed health and academic specializations, master and doctoral studies. The legal opportunity to acquire title of subspecialist in pharmacy should be used and enable further training and recognition of work to colleagues who deal with narrowly specialized pharmaceutical jobs. Funds for creating database of pharmacists (who they are, what positions they hold, and what their level of education is) are minimal. It is only necessary to recognize the importance of such database and connect key stakeholders. The intersection of current situation would enable development and improvement of pharmaceutical profession and would be step forward towards modernization of Serbian health care system.