Differences and similarities in clinical pharmacy practice in China and the United States: a narrative review

Abstract

The clinical pharmacy practice provided by pharmacists aims to improve the rational use of medication and enhance the quality of life of patients. Although clinical pharmacy in the USA has been developing for almost 60 years, it began in China only in 2005. Despite this, rapid development in clinical pharmacy has been achieved under the support of China’s Ministry of Health. This article aims to compare the differences between, and similarities of, clinical pharmacy practice in China and the USA.

Impact of pharmaceutical care in the orthopaedic department

“…In contrast, a comparative prospective study in Denmark reported that the reduction in medicine costs could not cover the total cost of clinical pharmacy services . However, the variation in results may be due to the difference in the development of pharmaceutical care, professionalism of pharmacists and standards in drug therapy among countries, regions and even hospitals . As the cost‐effectiveness of PIs are closely associated with patient clinical outcomes, more are required to achieve optimal effects and minimize costs.…”

“…In contrast, Monfort et al found that medication reconciliation at discharge failed to reduce medication errors on discharge prescriptions; however, this may be due to the lack of cooperation among surgeons, who did not consider it their role to prescribe patients' usual medication at discharge . Unlike other countries, pharmacists have no prescription rights in China and face a great challenge to participating in treatment interventions: Liu Ying et al reviewed the medical histories of about 625 patients, among which there were only 103 cases of medication reconciliation. Clinical pharmacists in Chinese hospitals are few, and further measures are needed to provide funding, enhance training and enact the Chinese Pharmacist Law.…”

“…In the mid‐1960s, clinical pharmacy was first developed in the United States, but training and practice remain at an exploratory stage: in general, clinical pharmacy services are not yet part of routine inpatient care and pharmacists are responsible for compounding and dispensing medicines only . Ensuring that clinical pharmacists are well trained is a challenge, and it takes considerable time to develop pharmacy education and supply good‐quality professionals . Meanwhile, many factors, such as financial support, clinical pharmacists' expectations and self‐concept, restrict the development of clinical pharmacy …”

“…With intensified interventions required to achieve the full benefit for all patients, it is essential that pharmacists adopt a much more proactive approach to prescribing to ensure medications are correct on admission, rather than reviewing and correcting prescriptions hour or days later . Furthermore, with the rapid growth of electronic health information and technologies, the rational use of medications can more efficiently be improved and information more readily provided for patients . Orthopaedists and pharmacists are clearly experts in their respective fields, each with a unique and important role in the medical optimization of patients, but as more in‐depth research is conducted and experiences accumulated, the further development of clinical pharmaceutical services should bring considerable benefit to both orthopaedics and the whole medical system.…”

“…In the mid‐1960s, clinical pharmacy was developed in the USA, advocating patient‐oriented services and rational use of medication . The American College of Clinical Pharmacy defines the role of clinical pharmacists as working directly with physicians, other health professionals and patients to ensure that prescribed drugs achieve optimal recovery for patients .…”