What is the primary function of an institutional pharmacy?

The primary function of an institutional pharmacy revolves around the preparation and distribution of drugs and pharmaceutical care within a healthcare setting, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities. Institutional pharmacists are responsible for ensuring that the medications supplied to patients are appropriate for their medical conditions, which involves not just distributing medications but also managing medication therapy, optimizing drug regimens, and providing direct patient care services.

This role is critical in a healthcare environment where medication errors can lead to significant health risks. Beyond just dispensing medications, institutional pharmacies often involve activities such as reviewing medication orders, monitoring patient outcomes, and collaborating with medical staff to tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs. The focus on pharmaceutical care emphasizes the importance of patient safety, drug utilization review, and comprehensive medication management, which is central to the function of an institutional pharmacy.

In contrast, retail pharmacies primarily focus on the sale of medications to the public, over-the-counter medications are not a mainstay of institutional pharmacies, and while research may be conducted in some healthcare settings, it is not a primary function of institutional pharmacies. The core responsibility remains the effective provision of pharmaceutical care and medication management to patients within the institution.