TI "Pharmacists' Role in Preventing and Treating HIV Infection" AU Noormohamed, Saleem and Ferguson, Kristi SO American Pharmacy (12/93) Vol. NS33, No. 12, P. 38 AB Pharmacists are among the most accessible and most respected of health care professionals. Because they are knowledgeable about drugs and educated to endorse health and prevent disease, pharmacists are perfectly poised to have a positive influence on the AIDS epidemic. They do, in fact, have several roles in the fight against the disease. First and foremost, pharmacists must provide accurate and up-to-date information. In addition, they need to monitor drug therapy in both hospital and outpatient environments, including agents that are obtained on the black market, vitamins and minerals, and other unsubstantiated cures and treatments that a patient might be taking. It is also critical that pharmacists counsel HIV patients on proper condom use, as well as educate the public on how the virus is transmitted and what behaviors are risky. It is equally imperative that pharmacists encourage AIDS testing for all individuals who may be at risk for the virus. Finally, ethical guidelines that apply to other health care professionals also apply to pharmacists, who must keep all patient information completely confidential. In general, pharmacists must promote the best possible health care for infected patients. Copyright (c) 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. This information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), National AIDS Clearinghouse as a public service. Non-profit reproduction is encouraged. * Origin: AEGIS/San Juan Capistrano 714.248.2836 (CASAN) (1:103/927) * Provided as a service of THE BACKROOM - NYC * 718-951-8256