How Pharmacies Can Better Support Muslim Patients in Ramadan
Ramadan is an important time for Muslims, involving fasting from dawn to sunset. For those who take medication or have health conditions, this change in routine can affect their health. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals can help by giving simple advice on how to manage medications while fasting, suggesting healthy eating habits, and offering tips to stay well. With their support, patients can observe Ramadan safely and maintain their health.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting means abstaining from food, drinks, and other physical needs during daylight hours. This period holds deep spiritual significance, as it is a time for reflection, devotion, strengthening faith, and fostering empathy for those less fortunate. Before sunrise, Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast at sunset with a meal called iftar.
Fasting while maintaining daily routines can be physically demanding, making proper hydration and a balanced suhoor essential. Without adequate water, some may experience dehydration or fatigue, especially in hot Malaysian climates or during any physical activity. For Muslim patients, taking oral medications during fasting hours invalidates their fast. Alternative forms like injections, patches, or inhalers may be allowed, depending on circumstances and religious rulings. Pharmacists can guide patients in adjusting their medication schedules to maintain both health and fasting.
Understanding the Impact of Fasting on Health & Medication
1. Changes in Metabolism
Fasting for most of the day can change the body’s absorption, distribution, and elimination of medications, making it essential to adjust medication schedules for ideal effectiveness. Since Muslim patients will not be eating anything, including medications, it’s important to arrange a medication schedule that fits the suhoor and iftar times.
2. Health Conditions Most Affected by Fasting
Diabetes
Fasting can significantly affect blood glucose levels, increasing risks of hypoglycemia (due to missed meals while fasting for a prolonged period) or hyperglycemia (from excessive intake of sugary foods during iftar or suhoor). This is the time for pharmacists to advise diabetic patients on insulin or oral medication schedules, blood sugar monitoring, and most importantly, remind Muslim patients that sugary foods should still be limited or taken in moderation, being careful not to spike their blood glucose levels.
Hypertension
Fluctuations in blood pressure may also occur when people fast, especially in patients on antihypertensive medications. Electrolyte imbalances from dehydration can possibly contribute to dizziness or fatigue. This situation calls for an adjustment in medication schedules and dosages as well, which can be advised by pharmacists throughout the month of Ramadan.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Irregular meal times, prolonged fasting or excessive intake of spicy foods at iftar may cause worsened symptoms for patients with acid reflux (GERD), peptic ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Acid production continues even when fasting, leading to heartburn or discomfort. Pharmacists can recommend proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists for GERD patients before suhoor and suggest dietary modifications.
Chronic Conditions
Patients with asthma, epilepsy, or other chronic illnesses may need special adjustments during Ramadan. Dehydration can worsen asthma symptoms, while fasting-related metabolic changes may trigger seizures in epilepsy patients. Pharmacists should educate patients on medication timing (such as using long-acting inhalers or extended-release formulations), ensuring compliance while minimizing disruptions to their fasting schedule.
3. Potential Risks
Dehydration and Fatigue
As stated before, fasting involves abstaining from eating or drinking. As a result, it is common for some individuals to experience dehydration and fatigue due to prolonged periods without food or water.
Medication Non-Adherence
It is important for Muslims to follow religious guidelines when fasting during Ramadan. As a result, some patients may skip doses of medication to avoid breaking their fast, which could lead to medication non-adherence.
Key Strategies for Pharmacists to Support Muslim Patients
1. Medication Adjustments & Counseling
- Assess Medication Schedules
Adjust medication doses to match suhoor and iftar times, ensuring effectiveness while considering daily routines and fasting hours.
- Recommend Modified Dosage Forms
Extended-release formulations can help with once-daily dosing, while non-oral alternatives (patches or injections) may prevent breaking the fast.
- Monitor Side Effects
Educate patients on signs of hypoglycemia, dehydration, and blood pressure fluctuations that may occur during fasting as well as advise on times that call for breaking their fast.
- Collaborate with Doctors
Work with healthcare providers to ensure safe medication adjustments, ensuring optimal care throughout Ramadan.
2. Guidance for Patients with Chronic Illnesses
For patients with chronic illnesses during Ramadan, regular blood sugar monitoring is important for diabetic patients, along with recommending low-glycemic index foods and advising when to break the fast in cases of severe hypoglycemia.
For those with hypertension or heart disease, adjusting the timing of antihypertensive medications and ensuring adequate hydration and reduced salt intake is key to maintaining stable blood pressure.
For gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux or ulcers, suggest proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) at suhoor to manage acidity and recommend smaller, balanced meals at iftar to aid digestion and minimize discomfort.
3. Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Supplement Recommendations
OTC medication will be the go-to solution for most individuals fasting in Ramadan. It’s good for pharmacies to carry the right OTC medications these individuals may need, including:
- Hydration Support
Recommend oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or electrolyte drinks such as 100 Plus to prevent dehydration.
- Digestive Health
Suggest antacids such as Gaviscon and probiotics for patients prone to bloating or acid reflux.
- Nutritional Supplements
Advise multivitamins like Blackmores or Redoxon’s line of multivitamins to be taken during suhoor or iftar to compensate for nutrient gaps during fasting.
- Quick Relief While Fasting
Suggest soothing eyedrops from brands like Rohto to aid tiredness and medicated oils to improve headaches or body aches without ingesting any medications orally.
Cultural Sensitivity & Patient Engagement
1. Respectful Communication
Approach discussions with cultural sensitivity and understanding. Avoid technical jargon to ensure patients clearly understand fasting health tips.
2. Patient Education Materials
Provide printed or digital resources on safe medication use during Ramadan, and address any misconceptions about fasting exemptions for medical reasons.
Fasting Exemptions for Medical Reasons
Fasting during Ramadan is a religious obligation for most Muslims, but certain health conditions may allow for exemptions. Individuals with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, who need regular medication, may be exempt from fasting.
Those who experience severe thirst or hunger that affects their well-being can also break their fast. The elderly, especially if their health requires consistent sustenance, may be exempt as well.
It’s important to understand that fasting is only required for those who are able to do so. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as women on their menstrual cycles and individuals with certain medical conditions, are permitted to break their fast to protect their health and safety. It’s a misconception that everyone must fast, regardless of their health condition.
The Role of PharmaRise in Supporting Pharmacies During Ramadan
As a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor company, PharmaRise plays a key role in ensuring pharmacies have the right medical supplies during Ramadan.
1. Ensuring Consistent Supply
PharmaRise helps pharmacies stock up on essential medications, including:
- Diabetic treatments to support patients monitoring blood sugar levels.
- Blood pressure medications to help manage cardiovascular risks.
- Digestive aids for patients prone to acidity or bloating.
- Hydration products to prevent dehydration during fasting.
2. Providing OTC & Supplement Solutions
PharmaRise offers a wide range of OTC products, including:
- Probiotics and antacids for digestive health.
- Multivitamins and energy supplements to maintain nutritional balance.
- ORS and electrolyte solutions to support hydration.
3. Supporting Pharmacist Education
PharmaRise ensures pharmacists are well-informed on medication adjustments and best practices for fasting patient care, helping them provide better guidance to the community.
Conclusion
Pharmacists play an important role in ensuring Muslim patient care during Ramadan in Malaysia. By offering medication counselling, OTC support, and culturally sensitive communication, they help patients to fast safely while maintaining their health. With the support of a trusted pharmaceutical wholesaler like PharmaRise, pharmacies can ensure they have the right medications and health products readily available for Ramadan.
