 |  |  |  |  |
Princess Margaret Hospital is the main referral hospital in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
and is located on the island of New Providence. The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) is a
independent public entity, governed by a Board of Directors, headed by a Chairman is
responsible for the management and development of Princess Margaret Hospital and other
public hospitals in the Bahamas.
The Department of Pharmacy provides a range of services at this 405 bed institution on a 24/7
basis from its main location adjacent to the Accident and Emergency services. The department
provides outpatient pharmacy service, IV Admixtures and Parenteral Nutrition Unit,
Investigational Drug Service, Clinical Services to Inpatient and private patients services.
Clinical services cover all patients within specialty coverage areas including dialysis,
cardiology, critical care, diabetes, psychiatry, neurology, and oncology. Pharmacists review
and evaluate individual drug orders; document care provided; supervise drug distribution;
manage pharmacy protocols; and work closely with physicians and nurses to provide a safe
and efficient medication use. There are two bilingual (English/Spanish) pharmacists on staff for
personal consultations, if needed.
Outpatient Pharmacy Service
The hospital Outpatient Pharmacy is very busy place. Approximately 1000 prescription drugs
are filled here every day. The pharmacy is conveniently located on the ground floor of
Princess Margaret Hospital; just off the main lobby of registration. The pharmacy is centrally
located and provides prescription services, Over-the-counter medications. There is television
for customers to watch while they wait.
We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3.30 pm and on Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm,
and fill prescriptions while you wait. For more information, please call 242.322.2861 Ext.
2351/2361
Inpatient Pharmacy Service
Inpatient Pharmacy Services are provided to all wards of the Princess Margaret Hospital and
specialty areas such as dialysis, skin and chest clinic. These wards include the medical and
surgical wards. Inpatient pharmacists are involved in medication review, patient counseling,
monitoring and reporting of side effects. They also provide advice to medical and nursing staff
on the choice, dosage and route of administration of medications. Inpatient pharmacists
ensure that the most appropriate medication is administered to specific patients in a safe and
timely manner. Discharged prescriptions are processed only, if presented to this area within
24 hours from the date of discharge.
The Inpatient pharmacy services are open on weekdays from 9.00 am to 5.00pm and on
weekends from 9.00am to 3.30pm. A Pharmacist on call is available to provide emergency
services after pharmacy hours.
For any further information please call 242.322.2861 Ext.2357/58.
IV Admixtures and Parenteral Nutrition Unit
The IV Admixture and Parenteral Nutrition Service is centralized at Princess Margaret Hospital,
where a cross-flow laminar cabinet is located inside a positive-pressure clean room in main
pharmacy. The IV Admixture and Parenteral Nutrition unit mainly provides services to the
Neonatal and Special care Baby Units. Products prepared by the unit include Total Parenteral
Nutrition, epidural infusions, special IV solutions, intravenous additives, and antibiotics for
hospital patients. The IV Admixture and Parenteral Nutrition unit is open on weekdays from 8.00
am to 4.00pm and on weekends from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Please call 242.322.2861 Ext 2360
for any further information.
Oncology Pharmacy Service
The Oncology Pharmacy services are only available on weekdays from 9.00am to 3.00pm
through main pharmacy. The oncology products are prepared and administered in the
Oncology Unit. A down flow Laminar airflow cabinet is used for the preparation of oncolytics
and is located in the Oncology Unit. The Oncology Pharmacist who works closely with the
Hematologist and Medical Oncologist manages oncology pharmacy services. The Oncology
Pharmacist regularly attends multidisciplinary meetings in the Oncology Unit and assists with
the preparation of protocols, calculation of chemotherapy doses, scheduling of treatment and
provides drug information for oncology drugs. Feel free to call at 242.322.2861 Ext.2360/2332
for any further information.
Satellite Private Pharmacy Service
The Satellite Private Pharmacy’s strategic location provides proximity for the private medical
and surgical ward and is conveniently located at the hospital’s main entrance. The pharmacist
extends total pharmaceutical care to patients and is in direct contact with ward physicians and
nurses. Activities at the satellite private pharmacy include daily review of inpatient medication
records, medication supply into individualized patient drawers as well as medication counseling
of discharged patients. The pharmacy operating hours for weekdays are from 9.00am to 5.00
pm and on weekends from 9.00am to 3.30pm. For more information please call 242.322.2861
Ext. 2029
Investigational Drug Studies/Research Program
The Investigational Drug Studies (IDS) Research Program assists investigators with drug
research activities. The department is involved in HIV/AIDS drug investigational studies.
Currently the department is involved in three different studies, which include the NIH 390 study
to investigate the effect of triple therapy on HIV naive adolescents, another Study 1182 is
comparing boosted protease inhibitors Tipranivir with kaletra. The department is also involved
in one NIH study to find the response of Hepatitis B (normal dose), Hepatitis A and B in HIV
positive patients at risk of developing Hepatitis B. The pharmacy maintains all drug
accountability logs, liaises with the sponsoring company and investigators, assists with the
blinding and randomization of study numbers and dispenses trial medications to the patients.
This service can be contacted by calling at 242.322.2861 Ext. 3657.
Drug Information Service
The pharmacy provides Drug Information Services to all outpatients, specialty and other
clinics. The drug information service supports the Drug and Therapeutic committee, adverse
drug reaction program. The DIS is available from 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday to
respond to drug information requests from health care professionals in hospitals and clinics.
For more information please contact Carlese Henry at 242.322.2861 Ext. 2351 or visit the
Drug Information Service website.
Pharmaceutical Manufacture and Compounding Service
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Compounding Service provides the basic option of
extemporaneous compounding. Physicians can now provide customized drug therapy for their
patients with pharmacy compounding services. Compounding services tailor medications and
dosages to meet your specific needs. You are no longer limited to what is commercially
available. You can have medications in strengths and dosages that you desire but which are
not normally available. The pharmaceutical manufacturing and compounding service provides
solutions to your unique health needs. The service is only open though weekdays from 9.00
am to 3.00pm. Please call 242.322.2861 Ext. 2351 for any further information.
Education and Training
The department of pharmacy coordinates the half yearly visits of a group of students from the
School of Nursing. Also, many visitors from pharmaceutical, medical backgrounds observe the
department's functioning and facilities as a part of their hospital orientation. Other visitors are
accepted, when possible. The Department of Pharmacy staff attends training courses,
symposiums, international conferences and educational meetings both within and outside the
hospitals and overseas. Currently, the department has four staff members enrolled in the
Pharm. D. Program. The department accepts two students from School of Pharmacy for a four-
week clinical clerkship placement. Students have workbooks to complete and specific modules,
as designed and assessed by the respective universities and schools of pharmacy. It also
accepts students especially those who intend to make pharmacy a career during summer
holidays. For any further information please call 242.322.2861 Ext. 2354.
Pharmacy Continuing Education Program
Meetings on various topics of interest or a series of lectures on a particular theme are
conducted on a fortnightly basis. The lectures are presented by invited guests or by members
of the pharmacy department. Representatives from drug companies also provide educational
sessions to pharmacy department staff. The department also conducts Journal Club on
bimonthly basis, where research studies relevant to hospital pharmacy practice setting are
analyzed. For any further information please call 242.322.2861 Ext. 2354.
Hospital Staff Prescriptions Service
Princess Margaret Hospital staff prescriptions are filled and dispensed at the Satellite Private
Pharmacy on weekdays from 9.00 to 4.00pm. The prescriptions can be dropped off before
12.30 pm and picked up any time after 2.00 pm. This service is exclusively for PMH staff, and
prescriptions can only be processed after due identification and authentication. For further
information please call 242.322.2861 Ext. 2029.
