| Popis: |
A case study is presented in which a pharmacist in a Drug Information Center is queried by a patient about how to obtain a homeopathic medicine. There appear to be no scientific data regarding the efficacy or safety of the medication. The pharmacist has three options: to inform the patient how to obtain the medicine, to tell the patient that the medicine is ineffective and withhold information on how to obtain it, or to discuss its therapeutic uncertainty and provide ordering information. Resnik and Resnik recommend that the pharmacist choose the third option after balancing obligations to respect autonomy, avoid harm, and provide benefits. Arnold, Nissen, and Haupt comment on three models of pharmacist-consumer interaction: the librarian, the priestly, and the counselor. The authors favor the last option, to counsel the patient on appropriate care and tell her how to obtain the medication. |
