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The pharmacist and his role in the immunization process in Albania

  • At: PPR SIG 2021 (2021)
  • Type: Digital
  • By: XHAFAJ, Delina (Albanian University, Albania)
  • Co-author(s): Delina Xhafaj, Kleva Shpati, Orion Jucja, Xhensila Çangu
  • Abstract:

    Introduction

    As the International Federation of Pharmacists (FIP) points out, ‘pharmacists have trusted health professionals and as such can provide strong advocacy to build social trust in vaccines as essential medicines’. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic period, pharmacists showed an active role in serving patients everywhere and anytime. Pharmacists with all their private structures are the health figures closest to the patients and distributed quite capillary. While in many countries of the world, the pharmacist is involved in the vaccination service alongside doctors and nurses, but still, there is the \’exclusivity\’ for this service in Albania.

    Objectives

    The purpose of this paper is to analyze the benefits and disadvantages of the pharmacist\’s involvement in seasonal flu vaccination campaigns or epidemics as well as research in the literature about the legal space for the implementation of this service in Albania as it is in other countries.

    Methods

    To achieve this goal, research was conducted in the official reports of the WHO and FIP for countries that have already implemented this service as well as scientific articles using the keywords \’pandemic\’, \’seasonal flu\’, \’vaccine\’ combined with \’pharmacist\’.

    Results

    There is a lack in the current legislation in Albania for the pharmacist to be part of any immunization campaign. Any graduation curriculum offers educational and training support for the pharmacist willing to be part of the process.

    Conclusion

    Their training alongside doctors and nurses can bring a social health benefit in the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also in the future in certain vaccination campaigns. This would facilitate access to vaccines, speed up vaccination processes, and promote vaccination campaigns5, bringing more detailed pharmacovigilance while maintaining the same health professionalism as colleagues.

Last update 28 September 2023

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