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Synopsis

The healthcare system is rapidly changing with increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare, public health awareness, rational use of medicines, and community participation in healthcare services. In the modern healthcare system, pharmacists are expected not only to dispense medicines but also to actively participate in health promotion, disease prevention, patient counseling, pharmacovigilance, and community healthcare activities. Therefore, Social and Preventive Pharmacy has emerged as an important and essential subject in pharmaceutical education.

This book, A Textbook of Social and Preventive Pharmacy (BP–802T), has been prepared according to the latest syllabus prescribed for B. Pharm 8th Semester by the Pharmacy Council of India. The main objective of this textbook is to provide clear, systematic, and student-friendly knowledge regarding public health, nutrition, hygiene, epidemiology, prevention and control of diseases, national health programmes, environmental health, and community healthcare services.

Special care has been taken to explain all topics in simple and understandable language with proper headings, subheadings, tables, and organized content for better understanding of the subject. Important concepts have been discussed in a detailed yet easy manner so that students can develop strong conceptual knowledge and practical understanding. The book emphasizes the importance of preventive medicine because prevention is always better, safer, and more economical than cure.

The textbook also highlights the important role of pharmacists in spreading health awareness, promoting rational use of medicines, participating in national healthcare programmes, and improving the overall health status of society. Topics included in this book are highly useful for academic learning as well as practical application in community and public healthcare settings.

The authors sincerely hope that this textbook will serve as a valuable resource for B. Pharm students, teachers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and all readers interested in public health and preventive pharmacy. The book may also be useful for competitive examinations and professional reference.

We express our sincere gratitude to all teachers, students, academic colleagues, healthcare professionals, and the publisher for their valuable support, encouragement, and guidance during the preparation of this book. Every effort has been made to maintain accuracy and clarity in the content. However, constructive suggestions and valuable feedback from readers will always be welcomed for improvement in future editions.