(Oct 19) PHARMACISTS, with their knowledge and expertise in drugs, should act as the bridge between doctors and patients by offering cheaper but equally effective alternatives.

This, said the chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, Madam Halimah Yacob, will help keep drug costs down.

She said drug use will increase with the ageing population, and more people will resort to self-treatment for minor ailments.

Pharmacists can play a role by helping to determine what medicines are needed, and what are not.

Speaking at the opening of the 19th Singapore Pharmacy Congress on Friday night, Madam Halimah said by doing this, medical bills will be cut and mistreatment or over-treatment can be avoided.

Citing the example of the drug used in treating high blood pressure, she said patients in a public hospital pay only 55 cents for a 60mg tablet of Nifedipine, compared to $1.63 a tablet for the original brand Adalat.

'This translates into a saving of $32.40 per patient per month - or $6.2 million in savings a year for patients in public sector institutions alone,' she noted.

According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, in 2006 alone, there were at least 100,000 documented interventions by pharmacists in public sector institutions.

These ranged from inappropriate dosage and duplication of therapy to advice on drug interactions.

This check and balance is critical in ensuring appropriate use of medicines.