ANCILLARY SUBSTANCES
Ancillary substances are the products which are dispensed by the pharmacist with main drugs prescribed by the doctor. They include ancillary medicines, parapharmaceuticals including ancillary labels (auxiliary labels).
Ancillary medicines are the drugs which are given in combination with the main drugs, helpful for the treatment. Para pharmaceuticals are the substances like catheters, needles, several laboratory wares, sutures, syringes, sphygmomanometers and costly surgical materials. These provide additional support to the treatment.
It is the duty of the pharmacist to take responsibility for the purchase, stocking and distribution of these ancillary substances. Modern techniques must be utilized in order to maintain proper control over the investment in inventory by the pharmacist. Example of such a modern technique is ‘Economic order quantity’ model. They help in determining the optimum inventory level. This is done by calculating optimum order quantity and reorder points.
Auxiliary labels are the labels stick to the medicines while dispensing and useful for the patient. Pharmacist writes the information about the usage of drugs regarding the time when they should be taken. These auxiliary labels with timings of administration of drugs are written by the pharmacist.
Role of pharmacist in dispensing ancillary substances:
Various duties of pharmacist in this aspect are
1. Purchasing and stocking of those ancillary substances, Para pharmaceuticals
2. Inventory control of the ancillary substances
3. Distribution of ancillary supplies to different departments
4. Advisory role in selection of items as he has the knowledge of understanding the use of these ancillary substances
5. Handling and accounting of pharmaceuticals.