Extension Activities of a Uruguayan University in the Context of Pharmaceutical Care Education in the Community

Objective: To promote pharmacist's role in the rational use of drugs and medicinal plants. To engage students in activities related to patients and patients' care and needs, involving them in critical analysis of the data collected.

Methods and findings: a pharmaceutical care tent was put up on a public area of the Faculty of Chemistry during Heritage Day. Pharmaceutical care students carried out semi-structured surveys to passers-by, collecting information on their pharmacotherapy, and the consumption of medicinal plants, handing out information leaflets, as well. A research study was carried out from the data collected. One hundred and forty-four people (95 women and 49 men), aged between 12 and 89 years were interviewed. Forty-four percent were elderly (65 years of age or older), 21% of the total were polymedicated and 51% consumed one or more medicinal plants. Antihypertensives were the most used drugs. A 16% of the elderly presented at least one STOPP criterion and 14% a START.

Conclusions: The experience was well-accepted by the public and students felt confident in their role as future members of the health care team. Once again, the need for responsible health education of the population was demonstrated.

Author(s): Cecilia Maldonado*, Marta Vázquez, Natalia Guevara, María E Couture, Faustina Furtado, Valerie Castillo, Camila Moreira, Florencia Oricchio, Florencia Picardo, Delfina Quiñones, Matías E Rodríguez, Federico Rosano, Gonzalo Scalese, Alejandra Schiavo, Diego Umpiérrez and Martín Umpiérrez

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