ASHP Statement on the Pharmacist's Role in Informatics

Purpose
To reaffirm the responsibilities of the pharmacists and the pharmacy informacists in medical informatics.

Explanation

The pharmacists have the unique knowledge, expertise, and responsibility to assume a significant role in medical informatics. They must use their knowledge of information systems and the medication-use process to improve patient care by ensuring that new technologies lead to safer and more effective medication use.

Their responsibilities:

Participation. They must support the medication use process for safer and effective medication. They must learn how to collaborate with the different health professionals to develop a good relationship with them in terms of health medication related problems, for different strategies and so on. 

Leadership. They need to take a leadership role in medical informatics at all levels of health care to ensure that health information technology supports safe medication use. They should also attain their key leadership roles within the health care technology industry.

Education. Pharmacy informaticists should develop different medication-related data and information. They are the one responsible for educating pharmacy staff and the institutions leadership about their roles, particularly using information technology.

Research.  They are responsible for performing researchers involving the different issues of medical information. It includes the study of standards, usability, and value involving the economic, safety, and quality of health information technology.