Making an impact: an adventure into international pharmacy.
OBJECTIVE
To support a medical team, organized by Shoulder to Shoulder, with pharmacy services in an effort to expand ongoing health care to a rural community in Honduras.


METHODS
Pharmacy services in a temporary medical clinic in a schoolhouse in Colomarigua, a small mountain village in Honduras.


METHODS
Pharmacy services and medical care to address acute care needs of the people of Colomarigua, Honduras, during a week-long clinic. Interpreters assisted with patient counseling. Medication labels with pictures that connected doses to mealtimes increased patient understanding and the potential for medications to be dosed correctly. Fill lines were drawn on delivery devices for pediatric suspensions. An effort was made to avoid polypharmacy by communicating with physicians about the different prescriptions that were being prescribed in each household.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
We created a temporary clinic with a pharmacy and provided medical care to more than 600 children and adults in the surrounding regions. The medical team identified need for a feeding program, and local Shoulder to Shoulder teams began activities to support the community's development. Education programs were initiated to allow promising local children access to higher education.


CONCLUSIONS
Challenges to providing optimal pharmaceutical care included language barriers, space and flow of the pharmacy, and a limited formulary. Benefits included gaining a whole new perspective on pharmacotherapy, health, and the importance of service to those in need whether abroad or at home.
Hitch
William
W
Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC 28804, USA. bill.hitch@mahec.net
Ransom
Matthew
M
D006721:Honduras; D006801:Humans; D008493:Medical Missions; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D010594:Pharmacies