View source for Pharmacotherapy

{{Short description|Medical treatment using approved pharmaceutical products}}
{{about|the type of treatment|the journal|Pharmacotherapy (journal)}}
{{Medref|date=June 2019}}
'''Pharmacotherapy''' is [[therapy]] using [[pharmaceutical drug]]s,<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pharmacotherapy Pharmacotherapy Definition]</ref> as distinguished from therapy using [[surgery]] (surgical therapy), radiation ([[radiation therapy]]), movement ([[physical therapy]]), or other modes. Among [[physician]]s, sometimes the term '''''medical therapy''''' [[word sense|refers specifically]] to pharmacotherapy as opposed to surgical or other therapy; for example, in [[oncology]], medical oncology is thus distinguished from [[surgical oncology]]. 
[[Pharmacist|Pharmacists]] are experts in pharmacotherapy and are responsible for ensuring the safe, appropriate, and economical use of pharmaceutical drugs. The skills required to function as a pharmacist require knowledge, training and experience in biomedical, pharmaceutical and [[clinical research|clinical sciences]]. <ref>The ACCP Clinical Practice Affairs Committee Subcommittee B, 1998–1999 (2000), Practice Guidelines for Pharmacotherapy Specialists. Pharmacotherapy, 20: 487–490. doi: 10.1592/phco.20.5.487.35054</ref> [[Pharmacology]] is the science that aims to continually improve pharmacotherapy. The [[pharmaceutical industry]] and [[academia]] use [[basic science]], [[applied science]], and [[translational science]] to create new pharmaceutical drugs. 

As pharmacotherapy specialists and pharmacists have responsibility for direct [[Health care|patient care]], often functioning as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and acting as the primary source of drug-related information for other [[Health care provider|healthcare professionals]]. A pharmacotherapy specialist is an individual who is specialized in administering and prescribing medication, and requires extensive academic knowledge in pharmacotherapy. <ref>The ACCP Clinical Practice Affairs Committee, Subcommittee B,1998-1999. Practice Guidelines for Pharmacotherapy Specialists. Pharmacotherapy, 20: 487-490. dio: 10.1592/phco.20.5.487.35054</ref>

In the US, a pharmacist can gain Board Certification in the area of pharmacotherapy upon fulfilling eligibility requirements and passing a certification examination.<ref>[https://pharmacyreviewer.co/forum/ Pharmacy Reviewer Forum]</ref><ref>[http://www.bpsweb.org/ Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

While pharmacists provide valuable information about medications for patients and healthcare professionals, they are not typically considered covered pharmacotherapy providers by insurance companies.

== See also ==
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*[[ATC codes]] Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System
*[[Chemotherapy]]
*[[Classification of Pharmaco-Therapeutic Referrals]] '''CPR'''∫
*[[Family medicine]]
*[[General practice]]
*[[Health care]]
* [[History of pharmacy]]
*[[ICD-10]] International Classification of Diseases
*[[ICPC-2 PLUS]]
*[[International Classification of Primary Care]] ICPC-2
*[[List of pharmaceutical companies]]
*[[Neuromodulation_(medicine)|Neuromodulation]]
*[[Pharmaceutical care]]
*[[Pharmaceutical drug]]
*[[Pharmacist]]
*[[Primary care]]
*[[Referral (medicine)]]
*[[Therapy]]
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== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{二次利用|date=21 June 2022}]
[[Category:Clinical pharmacology]]