I welcome the proposed initiative by the Health Ministry to separate the functions of prescribing and dispensing drugs.

Allow me to relate my experience as a patient. Four years ago, following successful surgery to remove my wisdom teeth at a private clinic, I was given several types of painkillers to take at different times. I later developed severe side effects after consuming the painkillers.

When I called the surgeon, he told me to stop the medications and consult a GP to seek treatment. Subsequent discussions with the surgeon revealed that he was not familiar with the drug interactions and resulting side effects.

It took me two months to recover from the adverse effects. Obviously, I would have benefitted from a pharmacist's input on the correct use of such drugs.

Although clinical pharmacology is part of medical training, it is unreasonable to expect doctors to retain this knowledge thoughout a thirty-year career. Understandably, doctors have no time to research every drug that enters the market but rely on information provided by the pharmaceutical companies.

On the other hand, pharmacists are specifically trained on advising patients on the taking the right dosage, at the right time with minimal side affects.

For the benefit of patients, pharmacists should concentrate on dispensing and counselling patients on proper drug usage and doctors on diagnosis, surgery and prescribing drugs. Together, they can create a win-win situation for patients.

The importance of this cooperation cannot be underestimated. Doctors don't personally dispense medications at any private clinic. It is always done by staff who have little or no training in dispensing.

Some private clinic dispensaries are staffed by part-time students in their late teens who are not qualified to advise patients on drug usage. Obviously, prescription drugs should only be dispensed by qualified staff.

If the Health Ministry's proposal means having to make an additional trip to the pharmacist, the public will eventually understand that it is done in the interest of patients.