Open AccessCoronavirus disease 2019: A comprehensive review on recent clinical updates and management tools for pharmacists
Author(s) -
Bhargab Deka Bhargab,
Biswajit Dash,
Arzoo Newar,
Ashique Ahmed,
Alakesh Bharali,
Bidisha Bordoloi,
Taslima Akhter Rohman,
Bharjil Bingari,
Bedanta Bhattacharjee,
Pinkan Sadhukan,
Abu Md Ashif Ikbal,
Gargi Das,
Richa Sonowal,
Santa Sarma,
Tanmay Sarma,
Shamima Nasreen Ahmed
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pharmaceutical and biosciences journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2582-0540
DOI - 10.20510/pbj/9/i3/1363
Subject(s) - pandemic , medicine , pharmacy , health care , covid-19 , disease , pneumonia , disease management , pharmacist , coronavirus , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , family medicine , alternative medicine , health management system , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , economics , economic growth
In the Hubei region of China, a pneumonia outbreak occurred in December 2019, which was confirmed to be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It quickly became known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 or simply COVID-19, a pandemic that continues to devastate countries across the world. Through this COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists across the globe have continued to offer direct patient care and provided frontline service to society. However, while the frontline staff is heralded, they are relegated to the background and overlooked most of the time. The most reachable healthcare providers are pharmacists because they can provide direct medical services despite tight regulations and restrictions related to the pandemic. During this pandemic, the involvement of pharmacists to handle COVID-19 and its complications proved to be crucial in alleviating the burden on the already strained healthcare system. They have provided very important services such as distributing medications to patients, encouraging adherence to medications for better control of chronic diseases, consulting on minor illnesses, clarifying myths regarding COVID-19, and contributing to COVID-19 screening. The treatment or management of COVID-19 was based on initial findings but is now being updated several times based on viral mutation, different studies across the globe, etc. This review focuses on recent clinical updates and tools that would help pharmacists with a more systematic approach to properly handling COVID-19 and its complications.