Medicine-related questions handled by community pharmacists: an exploratory study

• Published in: The International journal of pharmacy practice Vol. 17; no. 5; p. 313
• Main Authors: Rutter, Paul M, Warren, Sharon, Rutter, Jill
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Community Pharmacy Services - organization & administration; Community Pharmacy Services - standards; Directive Counseling - standards; England; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Education as Topic - standards; Pharmacists - organization & administration; Pharmacists - standards; Pilot Projects; Professional Role; Young Adult; England
• ISSN: 0961-7671
• DOI: 10.1211/ijpp.17.05.0009

The objectives of this study were to determine what type of medicine-related questions community pharmacists were asked and to ascertain whether responses given were appropriate. All community pharmacists from three Primary Care Trusts were invited to participate in a week-long exploratory study. Piloted data-collection forms were self-completed. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel and statistical tests conducted with Minitab. Sixty-six medicines-related questions were answered by participating pharmacists. The type of questions asked were varied and asked by patients, the general public and health care professionals. Most answers (over 80%) were assessed as being appropriate; only four questions raised concern with assessors that possible patient harm may have resulted. Almost half (42%) of the questions were answered without consultation to any reference source. Despite the small-scale nature of the study the findings show that community pharmacists provide a good-quality service that is easily accessible to all people. However, the failure to use reference sources may impact on pharmacists' ability to answer medicine-related questions fully.