PPSP graduates from the Faculty of Pharmacy Unpad are absorbed in various jobs according to the job field / professional role of pharmacists, namely seven-star plus one. The pharmacist’s role is concluded through a concept formulated by WHO and FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) called the “Seven-Star Pharmacist” in which a pharmacist is described as a caregiver, communicator, decision-maker, teacher, lifelong learner, leader, and manager. The concept is described in the Handbook on Developing pharmacy practice – A focus on patient care, first edition. For this manual, a researcher’s function has been added.
- Caregiver: Pharmacists provide care services. They must assume that their practice is continuously integrated with the health care system and other health professionals. The service must be of the highest quality. This role is performed by pharmacists in the hospital
- Communicator: Pharmacists are in an ideal position to explain prescriptions to patients, and to communicate information about health and medicines to the public. He or she must be knowledgeable and confident when interacting with other health professionals and the public. Communication involves verbal, non-verbal, listening, and writing skills. This role needs to be mastered by pharmacists who work in pharmacies and hospitals.
- Decision-maker: The use of appropriate, efficacious, safe, and cost-effective resources (for example, labor, drugs, chemicals, equipment, procedures, practices) should form the basis of pharmacist work. At the local and national levels, pharmacists play a role in setting drug policies. Achieving this goal requires the ability to evaluate, collate data and information and decide on the most appropriate course of action.
- Teacher: Pharmacists have a responsibility to assist in the education and training of future generations of pharmacists and the general public. Participating as a teacher not only imparts knowledge to others but also offers practitioners the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and to prepare existing skills.
- Live long learner: In pharmacy school, it is not possible to acquire all the knowledge and experience necessary to pursue a lifetime career as a pharmacist. Concepts, principles, and a commitment to life-long learning must begin in pharmacy and should be supported throughout the pharmacist’s career. Pharmacists must learn how to keep their knowledge and skills up to date.
- Leader: In a multidisciplinary, caring area where healthcare providers are minimal or non-existent, pharmacists are required to position themselves as leaders in the well-being of all patients and society. This leadership includes compassion and empathy as well as the vision and ability to make decisions, communicate, and organize effectively. This profile can be applied in various fields where the pharmaceutical profession is carried out, such as government, pharmacies, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, distribution, and others.
- Manager: Pharmacists must be able to manage resources (human, physical, and financial) and information effectively. They must also be willing to be managed by others, whether by an employer, a manager, or a health care team leader. More information and related technology will present challenges as pharmacists, taking greater responsibility to share information about medicines and related products and ensure their quality. This is done in all places of work of the pharmaceutical profession.
And as an addition:
- Researcher: Pharmacists must be able to use evidence base (eg, science, pharmaceutical practice, health system) effectively to advise about the rational use of drugs. Pharmacists can also contribute to the evidence base to optimize patient care and outcomes. As researchers, pharmacists can improve health accessibility and provide drug information to the public and other health professionals.