The Role of the Pharmacist in Clinical Settings (15): The Evolving Role of Pharmacists in the Operating Room and the Perioperative Period

Abstract

Pharmacists perform a wide range of duties, including comprehensive medication management, prescription auditing, drug-drug interaction screening, and clinical consultation. In recent years, the scope of their activities has expanded from the dispensing room to other areas of the hospital, and an increasing number of hospitals now assign full-time pharmacists to operating rooms. This trend was initially driven by a shortage of anesthesiologists, which necessitated the involvement of other healthcare professionals in operating room management. In this setting, pharmacists use their expertise to ensure the safe and accurate handling of high-risk medications, including medical narcotics, toxic drugs, and psychotropic drugs. They also oversee perioperative pharmaceutical care in accordance with established guidelines. Following Japan's medical fee revision in 2022, which introduced specific billing for perioperative medication management services, pharmacists' involvement in this area can be expected to increase further.