What is Pharmacotherapy
· Pharmacotherapy is the application of knowledge in making therapeutic decisions that are most likely to have a maximum positive benefit for a specific patient.
· Pharmacotherapy specialist: is an individual who is specialized in administering and prescribing medication, and requires extensive academic knowledge in pharmacotherapy.
o Pharmaceutical personnel are experts in pharmacotherapy and are responsible for ensuring the safe, appropriate, and economical use of pharmaceutical drugs.
· Pathophysiology is the physiology of abnormal states; specifically: the functional changes that accompany a particular syndrome or disease.
o Also is the study of changes in the way the body works that result from disease or injury
· Pharmaceutical care involves the process through which a pharmacist/ other pharmaceutical personnel cooperates with a patient and other professionals in designing, implementing, and monitoring a therapeutic plan that will produce specific therapeutic outcomes for the patient.
References
Wells BG, DiPiro J, Schwinghammer T (2013), Pharmacotherapy Handbook (6th Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey ML, (2008): Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Katz M D., Matthias KR., Chisholm-Burns M A., Pharmacotherapy(2011) Principles & Practice Study Guide: A Case-Based Care Plan Approach: New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Schwinghammer TL, Koehler JM (2009) Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
