Introduction to Social Pharmacy | Scope, Role & Public Health Integration

This presentation provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of Social Pharmacy, focusing on the integration of social, behavioral, and administrative sciences in pharmacy practice. It covers the definition, objectives, and the evolving scope of social pharmacy in improving public health. Key topics include the role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery, the concept and dimensions of health, and various health indicators. The presentation also highlights India's healthcare system, including the National Health Policy, National Health Mission (NHM), and initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and FIP Development Goals (FIPDGs). Ideal for pharmacy students and healthcare professionals, this resource emphasizes the growing importance of patient-centered care, community health, and health education.

1. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PHARMACY

2. DEFINITION The drug and medicine sector is studied from the social scientific and humanistic perspective is termed as Social Pharmacy. Social pharmacy consist of all the social factors that influence medicine use such as medicine and health related beliefs, attitudes, rules, relationship and processes. Social pharmacy may be defined as the discipline dealing with the role of medicines from the social, scientific and humanistic perspectives.

3. OBJECTIVES To determine and compare the differences , extent and depth of education in social pharmacy and expose the international regional dissimilarities.  To analyze social pharmacy education at different pharmaceutical faculties. To observe the range and scope of teaching subjects allied to the social, behavioral and administrative pharmacy sciences.

4. SCOPE IN IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH Social pharmacy is termed as a discipline concerned with the behavioral sciences related to the consumers as well as healthcare professionals . use of medicines Along with behavioral and psychological perspectives allied to pharmacy, pharmaceutical administration areas, like pharmacy management and marketing , are also fundamental components of social pharmacy. The acceptance of innovative patient-oriented roles for pharmacy , like medication adherence, counselling , and home medicine review , focuses on a patient- centred role. The information present in social pharmacy is very important to link the clinical and fundamental knowledge taught to the pharmacists. A proficient pharmacist is certified to incorporate his/her knowledge and social/communication skills for improving patient's behavior, treatment outcomes, and disease management.

5. ROLE OF PHARMACISTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH Review Prescriptions Dispense Prescription / Non—Prescription Medicines Provide Patient Counselling / Education Hospital and Community Pharmacy Management Expertise on Medications Proficiency on drugs / pharmaceuticals Entrepreneurship and Leadership Deliver Primary and Preventive Healthcare Professional , Ethical and Legal Practice Continuing Professional Development

6. CONCEPT OF HEALTH The World Health Organization defined health in 1948 as, "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity". Thus, health is a positive concept which emphasizes on social and personal resources, and also on physical capabilities . National Health Programme was declared by the Indian Government in 1983 with the aim: To provide proper health services for checking infectious diseases, To establish health sub-centers , primary health centers, and community health centers having trained manpower, To provide proper treatment measures in rural and sub-rural areas , and t o conduct vaccination programme .

7. DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH The World Health Organization in 1948 recognized some parameters for measuring an individual's functionality. Physical, social, and mental dimensions were the three measures identified initially; while emotional, spiritual , and environmental dimensions were identified lately . Physical Health: Physical health is defined as a state indicating perfect functioning of the body. In biological terms, health can be defined as a state in which body cells and organs are functioning properly and optimally . Good complexion , Clean skin, Bright eyes, Good appetite.

8. Physical Health: Regular activity of bowel and bladder , and smooth and easy coordinated movements are the signs of physical health in an individual. In an individual with optimum physical health, the size and functioning of all the organs should be normal. The pulse rate, blood pressure, body weight, etc., should be within normal limits as per the individual's age and sex . Mental Health: Mental health is defined as a state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world, including the environment. The characteristics of an individual who is mentally fit are as follows : The individual should have no internal conflicts, should be well-adjusted with the surroundings. should have a strong sense of self- esteem, should know himself, his needs, problems, and goals, good self-control.

9. Social Health : Social health is defined as a quantity and quality of an individual's inter-personalities and the extent of involvement with the community. Social health indicates harmony and integration within the individual, between the individual and other members of society , and between the individual and the surrounding world . Spiritual Health: Spiritual health is defined as a personal matter involving values and beliefs providing a purpose in an individual's life.

10. Spiritual Health: It involves searching for the meaning and purpose of human existence, thus an individual tries to maintain harmony with others while works to balance the inner needs with the rest of the world. As per the medical science, the body and soul are two separate things. Spiritual health is a connecting link between physiology and psychology . It includes integrity, principles and ethics, purpose in life, commitment to some higher being, and belief in concepts that are not subject to "state-of-the-art" explanation . Other Dimensions include Philosophical, Cultural, Socioeconomic , Environmental, Educational, Nutritional, Curative and Preventive.

11. HEALTH INDICATORS A characteristics of an individual, population, environment which is measured either directly or indirectly and used for describing any health features of the individual or population is known as health indicator. Health status of community helps to Identify the health care needs of society. Needs and success of health services. For implementation and improve the health services.

12. MORTALITY INDICATORS It's the indirect measure of health and major indicator of health status. Determining mortality rate in different age groups in community such as infant, child, maternal, disease specific and death mortality rate indicates health status of the community. Its determined separately increases in life expectancy is socioeconomic development of society and minimum life expectancy at birth of 60 years is good indicator . MORBIDITY INDICATORS The evaluation of health by morbidity rates results obtained in Yes/No type . It measures severity of conditions endangering life. Its used to described ill health of who are actually suffering from diseases or illnesses . It includes epidemiological studies that determine incidence , disease and statistical data of diseases, number of admissions in the hospital etc .

13. DISABILITY RATES Between mortality (fatal) rates and morbidity (suffering) rates are persons who remain disabled for some time or lifelong on recovery from disease. Nowadays restricted daily activity such as bed rest. Disability rates are determined from limitations of mobility and limitations of activity . HEALTH CARE SERVICES INDICATORS The availability of health care services measured in terms of Doctor-Population ratio, Population-Bed ratio, Population-Health center ratio used as indicator of health. Not only availability of health care services but extent these services are utilized. This give the indication of health status .

14. SANITATION INDICATORS The terms covers care of food, water, disposal of extra and regulation of environment. If adequate nutritional requirements are not fulfilled, results into ill-health that can be measured in terms of height, weight measurements of school children. The percentage of population with safe water and sanitation facilities and measurements of air, water, noise pollution are indicators use to measures health status. SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS It measures in term of population growth rate, pre capita income, level of unemployment , literacy etc. is indicative of socioeconomic health status of community. Social and mental health problems like suicide , violence , alcoholism , in a given community gives the indications about social and mental health .

15. QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS Health status can be measured by describing the quality of life of individuals and whole community leads. Quality of life is difficult . The physical quality of life can be determined from infant mortality , life expectancy at age one to five and literacy .

16. NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY The National Health Policy (NHP) of India aims to improve the health and well-being of all citizens. The policy covers a range of areas, including: Healthcare services: The NHP aims to ensure universal access to good quality healthcare services. Digital tools: The NHP encourages the use of digital tools to improve the efficiency and transparency of the healthcare system. Preventive healthcare: The NHP promotes preventive and promotive healthcare. Financial protection: The NHP aims to develop better financial protection strategies. Regulation: The NHP aims to strengthen regulation and health assurance.

17. PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN INDIA India’s public health system, managed by the government at central, state, and local levels, aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all citizens. Public healthcare services are primarily free or low-cost and are structured across primary, secondary, and tertiary care facilities, including Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and government hospitals. Despite challenges such as infrastructure limitations, workforce shortages, and funding constraints, the public health system plays a crucial role in preventive care, immunization programs, maternal and child health, and handling large-scale health initiatives like vaccination campaigns.

18. PRIVATE HEALTH SYSTEM IN INDIA The private healthcare sector in India is highly diverse, comprising private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, and pharmaceutical companies. This sector delivers a significant portion of healthcare services, particularly in urban areas, and is often preferred by individuals who can afford it due to shorter wait times, advanced technology, and specialized services . While the private sector contributes significantly to healthcare access, it operates mainly on a fee-for-service basis , leading to high out-of-pocket expenses for patients. The private sector has also partnered with the public sector on various initiatives to expand healthcare access, but disparities in cost and accessibility remain a challenge .

19. NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION ( NHM) The National Health Mission (NHM) is a flagship program launched by the Government of India to strengthen public health systems and improve healthcare delivery , especially in rural and vulnerable areas. Established in 2013 by integrating the National Rural Health Mission ( NRHM ) and the National Urban Health Mission ( NUHM ), NHM focuses on reducing maternal and child mortality, enhancing immunization, and managing communicable and non-communicable diseases. Key components of NHM include Health and Wellness Centers , which offer preventive and primary healthcare services, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who serve as community health workers to facilitate outreach and health education. NHM has successfully improved access to healthcare, particularly for maternal and child health, and aims to continue expanding its services to achieve equitable healthcare for all.

20. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( MDGs) The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of eight international goals established in 2000 by the United Nations to address global challenges and improve social and economic conditions in the world’s poorest countries. The MDGs focused on key areas such as poverty reduction, universal primary education, gender equality, child and maternal health, combating diseases like HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships. Targeted for achievement by 2015 , the MDGs succeeded in driving significant progress in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes, though some targets remained unmet. The lessons learned from the MDGs helped shape the next generation of global goals.

21. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs)

22. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( SDGs) The Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a continuation and expansion of the MDGs. The SDGs consist of 17 comprehensive goals aimed at addressing a broad range of global challenges, including poverty, inequality, health, education, clean water, climate action, and sustainable cities. These goals emphasize inclusivity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship, with a target year of 2030 for achieving substantial global improvements. The SDGs highlight interconnectedness, recognizing that progress in one area often supports progress in others, and they encourage a unified global effort toward a healthier, more sustainable planet.

23. FIP DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( FIPDGs ) The FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) Development Goals were created to guide the advancement of pharmacy practice, education, and science to better support healthcare systems and improve global health. Initially launched in 2016 and expanded in 2020 , the FIP Development Goals focus on 21 areas that include advancing patient care, ensuring medication safety, developing the pharmacy workforce, promoting digital health, and improving access to medicines. These goals are aligned with the SDGs , particularly in health-related areas, and provide a framework for pharmacists and pharmaceutical organizations to contribute to global health goals through education, practice, and policy advocacy.