Fiji Pharmaceutical Society president, Renshika Sen has called for consumer education of pharmaceutical drugs to patients.

She made these comments during the society’s annual conference at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa on Yanuca Island yesterday.

Her comments came after a few pharmacists said that they sometimes preferred not to completely inform their customers or patients about the medicines.

They said this was because the information overload scared patients and they panicked.

But Ms Sen said: “It’s about educating the patient. I think we have so much focus on consumer rights, but there is a lack of consumer education in terms of medicine. What are we doing now to educate our consumers and this is why the work of pharmacists is really important.

“They feel like they do not want to ask a burning question to the doctors because they hold doctors in high regard, but they will come and ask a pharmacist.”

She said the patients should be informed clearly of the side effects and what they were expected to experience.

“We also inform them if it’s affecting their daily life, then they need to come and talk to us again and we will talk to the doctor.

“Those are the options but it’s all about consumer education towards the patient.

“We need to tell them. They should be educated.”

The conference continues today and has attracted around 70 participants nationwide.

Edited by Maraia Vula