Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Highlighting the role of veterinary pharmacists in zoonotic diseases including COVID-19.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Stafford, Emma G
Plain-English summary
Veterinary pharmacists are an important but often overlooked part of healthcare, as they can help both people and animals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their role became even clearer, especially in dealing with diseases that can spread between animals and humans. These pharmacists have special training that allows them to assist doctors and veterinarians in finding the right treatments for different species. They also play a key role in research to develop new medications, as they understand the differences between how various animals and humans respond to drugs. Overall, the involvement of veterinary pharmacists is crucial in managing zoonotic diseases effectively.
Abstract
Veterinary pharmacy is an often unknown and therefore, underrepresented career path for pharmacists. Uniquely, pharmacists-even untrained in veterinary medicine-are the only health professionals legally allowed to provide care for human and nonhuman patients. The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a peculiar situation that, not only highlights veterinary pharmacy as a career path, but stresses the role veterinary pharmacists, trained in both human and veterinary medicine, can play in zoonotic diseases. Specialized training in veterinary medicine allows the pharmacist to serve as a resource for both physicians as well as veterinarians during zoonotic events by helping to ascertain feasibility of therapeutic options given the species. In addition, veterinary pharmacists involved in translational research would be vital for the drug development process as they would be aware of biologic nuances between the species and how they may affect the ultimate therapeutic outcome.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32703666/