Pharmacy heroes survive the rain

RIVERSDALE NEWS - Staff members of Riversdale Hospital Pharmacy, as well as a few from other departments, had a wonderful time on Friday 7 September, despite the rain, to celebrate Casual Day.

Earlier that morning they thought about postponing the event, but decided they were made from tougher stuff than that (SuperPharmacy, and that they wouldn't dissolve). The effort was to build team spirit within the pharmacy and between departments, but mostly to raise awareness that the pharmacy is an important and underutilised resource in the hospital in terms of providing information and helping patients understand their medication.

"Medication is an expensive and valuable resource, and has a risk/benefit ratio that requires professional guidance and patient responsibility from prescribing through to taking the medication," said Wendy Wilson.

They had a big banner and announced their presence over a loudspeaker with festive music. Because of the weather, almost no one came out of their houses, but looking through their windows. "We put pharmacy month pamphlets, which is September, in the postboxes. The biggest attendance was the school children who were on a break, and rushed to the fence as we were handing out sweets!"

One of the hospital bakkies was for collecting old and expired medication. "Patients tend to pile these up at home, instead of bringing them to the pharmacy for safe disposal. We collected a few bags of unused old and expired medication, but not as much as we suspect is out there. The rain didn't dampen our spirits, and we can only go bigger and better next year!"

The pharmacy Super Heroes on their way.