Drug information resources at community pharmacies in Amman,Jordan

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the drug information resources available in community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan. Methods A total of 156 private community (retail) pharmacies in different parts of Amman, the capital of Jordan, were recruited by personal contact. Pharmacists at the sample pharmacies completed a self‐administered questionnaire that consisted of two sections. The first section elicited the drug information resources available in their pharmacies. The second section presented five mock medicines information scenarios and asked respondents to identify the most suitable information resource to be used from a given list. Answers then were coded and entered into SPSS for Windows for statistical analysis. Key findings All pharmacies had at least one reference book, but most were outdated. The Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) was the most commonly found (n =101; 64.7%), and 40.4% (n = 63) had internet access. Only 19.2% (n = 30) of the respondents reported getting medicines information directly from pharmaceutical companies, usually through pharmaceutical representatives. Most pharmacists could identify appropriate information resources for drug dosing and side effects but did not fare well for medicine identification, drug interactions and primary research evidence. Conclusions The quality of drug information resources in private community pharmacies in Amman is far from optimal. This will affect the quality of information provided to patients and prescribers and have an adverse effect on the role that pharmacists can play in the health system in Jordan.     

An evaluation of consumers’ knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding generic medicines in Auckland

Objectives The aim of this project was to evaluate the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes regarding generic medicines. Methods A cross-sectional study, with self administered questionnaires, was conducted to survey consumers visiting pharmacies in four regions of Auckland (North Shore, Waitakere, Central Auckland and South Auckland). Through stratified random sampling, approximately 10% of pharmacies from each region were selected, which turn out to be 30 pharmacies. Every alternate customer coming to the pharmacy, who was eligible to participate in the study, was asked by the researchers to complete the questionnaire. Results A total of 441 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Different response rates were obtained in different regions of Auckland. Of all respondents, 51.6% had previous knowledge of generic medicines. Pharmacists were the main source of information regarding generic medicines followed by doctors and media. A higher level of education had a direct relationship with having correct knowledge of generics (P = .002). Attitude of participants toward the use of generic medicines was determined by their knowledge of generics, whether it was recommended by a pharmacist and their type of illness. Participants were more prepared to change to a generic for a minor illness (79%) than for a major illness (58.7%). Those who had better knowledge were more likely than those with poor knowledge to say they would to use a generic in major illness (P = .001) as well as minor illness (P < .0001). Previous positive experiences with generics also determined consumers’ willingness to use generics. Conclusion Many consumers have misconceptions regarding generic medicines. Having knowledge about generics and the advice by doctors and pharmacists are key indicators to improve the quality use of generic medicines.     

Patient drug information and consumer choice of pharmacy

Objective — The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between the level of drug information provided in community pharmacies and business performance as measured by consumer satisfaction and consumer loyalty. Method — After an initial qualitative phase and a pilot survey, a questionnaire was administered to 253 consumers in 10 high and low information provision pharmacies. Setting — The study took place in community pharmacies in the Sydney metropolitan and Newcastle areas of New South Wales, Australia. Key findings — There was no significant difference in the summed consumer scores of behavioural intention or consumer satisfaction between the two pharmacy types. However, this study showed that up to 41 per cent of consumers (n=182) currently patronising low provider pharmacies indicated a preference for a high information provider pharmacy given equivalent convenience and no preformed loyalties to a particular pharmacist. This represents a potential net shift of 24 per cent of consumers from low information provider pharmacies to high provider pharmacies. Conclusion — This study provides initial evidence to show that the level of provision of drug information has the potential to increase consumer patronage and loyalty to a community pharmacy. The full implications of this should become more apparent as the number and convenience of high provider pharmacies increases and more low provider consumers are exposed to this type of pharmacy.     

Information sources used by women in Finland who use hormonal contraceptives

Objective The aim of this study was to examine information sources used by women who use hormonal contraceptives (HCs), and how information source affected women’s attitudes and perceptions in 2001 and 2007. Setting The questionnaires were distributed from university pharmacies in 12 large cities across Finland. Method The data were collected with two questionnaire surveys among women who used hormonal contraceptives in 2001 and 2007. In the 2001 survey the response rate was 53% (n = 264) and in the 2007 survey 55% (n = 436). Results The number of respondents who considered professional information sources the most important information sources was markedly bigger in 2007 than in 2001 (P = 0.005). The most common source of information concerning the benefits of hormonal contraceptives was a physician (2001: 43%, 2007: 53%). The most common source of information concerning the risks of hormonal contraceptives was friends and relatives (43%) in 2001 and physician in 2007 (35%). Only a few percent of the respondents considered a pharmacy the most important information source both the 2001 and 2007 surveys. Conclusion The importance of health care professionals as sources of information concerning hormonal contraceptives has increased. However, role of pharmacists as information source was surprisingly small. Women who use hormonal contraceptives need more information from professional sources to alleviate possible fears associated with use.     

Community pharmacists,Internet and social media: An empirical investigation

BackgroundUse of social media and Internet for health information sharing is expanding among patients, physicians, and other health care professionals. Research on professional use of social media by community pharmacists is limited.Objectives1) To determine the extent to which Texas (U.S. state) independent community pharmacists use text messaging, email, Facebook, Twitter, and/or other information technology for professional communication with patients and health care professionals and identify the perceptions of Texas independent community pharmacists toward such usage; 2) to determine the extent to which Texas independent community pharmacists develop and employ their pharmacy websites to provide drug information and patient care services.MethodsA 25-item survey with questions addressing the objectives of the study as well as basic demographic questions (gender, age, and type of pharmacy degree) was mailed to a random sample of 1196 independent community pharmacists in Texas in January 2012.ResultsThe study response rate was 23.7%, with 284 usable questionnaires returned. The majority of respondents reported that Internet access is available at their pharmacies (98% (278)), and 91% (258) are familiar with the term ‘social media’. To communicate with health care professionals, 56% (n = 160) of respondents use email, 34% (n = 97) use text messages and 5% (n = 14) use Facebook. To communicate with patients, 36% (n = 102) of respondents use email, 30% (n = 86) use text messages and 7% (n = 19) use Facebook. The perceptions of pharmacists who communicate with patients using electronic tools about information related to drug therapy once a month or more frequently were more positive than those of pharmacists who never or hardly ever communicate with patients via electronic tools about drug therapy (P < 0.05). Over 50% of independent pharmacists reported maintaining a pharmacy website.ConclusionsThis study is the first U.S. statewide assessment of the use of electronic communication and social media for professional pharmacist's communications and perceptions toward the use of social media in patient–pharmacist communications among independent community pharmacists in Texas. Future studies conducted in other states as well as nationwide will contribute to a better understanding of the use of electronic communication, Internet, and social media in the daily professional activities of independent community pharmacists.     

Community pharmacy in Australia: A health hub destination of the future

BackgroundRates of chronic illness are rising in Australia and as medications are frequently used in the management of a range of chronic conditions, community pharmacists are in an ideal position to better assist these consumers. There is currently limited information as to how pharmacy can do this from the perspective of consumer health organizations, health advocates and professional support organizations.ObjectivesTo explore new roles, opportunities and any associated barriers for community pharmacy to better assist consumers with chronic illnesses.MethodsRepresentatives of non-government consumer health organizations (n = 10) were interviewed from the key health priority areas emphasized by the Australian government. Health advocates (n = 3), innovative health care professionals (n = 4) and representatives of health care professional organizations (n = 4) from pharmacy and medicine also participated. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted. The core finding was the potential for community pharmacies to become a health hub destination, whereby pharmacy staff assist consumers with chronic conditions to: navigate the health system (e.g., provide information on support services), manage their medications, and provide health advocacy. Participants expressed their concern that consumers may not be aware of the breadth of the pharmacist's expertise and that further collaboration is needed with non-government consumer health organizations and other health providers. Emphasis was placed on the improvement of the pharmacist's current role, particularly in the area of medication advice and accessibility, with the current pharmacy remuneration model identified as a barrier to becoming a health hub destination.ConclusionThe eventual progression toward a health hub destination was seen to be important to better assist consumers with chronic conditions. This focuses on a more proactive approach to care encompassing simple advice, referrals to consumer health organizations and ultimately, health advocacy. However, further research is required into how community pharmacy can become a health hub given that this is a new concept and there are existing professional barriers.     

Professional practices and experiences with complementary medicines: a cross‐sectional study involving community pharmacists in England

Objective As retailers of complementary medicines (CMs), pharmacists are well placed to advise consumers on the safe and effective use of these products; where CMs are available in pharmacies, pharmacists should be well informed about such products. This study explored the extent to which CMs are available in community pharmacies in England, and examined pharmacists' experiences, professional practices and training with regard to these products. Method A cross‐sectional study was conducted, involving a structured questionnaire posted to community pharmacists. Coded follow‐up mailings were sent to non‐responders after 2 and 4 months, and a reminder telephone call made after 3 months. Setting All community pharmacists in six areas (Devon, Cornwall, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Stockport) of England (total n = 1337). Key findings The response rate was 66.5%. Overall, 92% of respondents reported that CMs (excluding vitamins/minerals) are sold in the pharmacy in which they practise, 81% had received requests from patients/consumers for specific CMs in the previous year, and 58% had recommended CMs. Around 70% of respondents rarely/never asks about CMs use when counter‐prescribing conventional medicines or when receiving reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with conventional medicines. In total, 40% of respondents had undertaken training in complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Pharmacists who had undertaken training were more likely to ask patients/consumers specifically about use of CMs when counter‐prescribing conventional over‐the‐counter (OTC) medicines (37.0% versus 23.4%, respectively; χ² = 17.4; P = 0.0003) and when receiving reports from patients/customers of suspected ADRs associated with conventional (prescribed or OTC) medicines (35.6% versus 23.8%, respectively; χ² = 13.0; P = 0.0003). Conclusion CMs are widely available in pharmacies in England, and pharmacists interact with users of these products. An opportunity exists for pharmacists to embrace a professional role as expert advisors on CMs. However, pharmacists' training, professional practices and competence with respect to CMs first need to improve.     

Opinion comparison concerning future information technology in Finnish community pharmacies

Objective To compare the opinions of community pharmacy owners, managers and personnel concerning the key features of the future information technology system needed in Finnish community pharmacies. Setting The study was targeted to the pharmacists working in community pharmacies as managers (owners and staff pharmacists with M.Sc. degree) or personnel responsible for dispensing and patient counselling (pharmacists with B.Sc. degree). Method A national cross-sectional survey to all of Finnish community pharmacy owners (n = 580) and staff pharmacists (B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, n = 1709) working in community pharmacies, was conducted in order to determine differences in opinions between these occupation groups with different professional duties. The response rates were 53% for pharmacy owners (n = 308) and 22% for staff pharmacists (n = 373). Main outcome measure The main outcome measure was the perceived importance of 89 potential features for a new IT system ranked by using a five-point Likert scale. Results The responding community pharmacy managers and staff pharmacists had differences in their ranking of more than half (52%) of the potential features listed in the survey questionnaire. The features related to the pharmacy’s internal processes, such as financial management, sales and marketing management and stock holding, were ranked significantly higher by the managers, while the personnel prioritized the features supporting pharmaceutical service provision and personnel management. The managers and personnel shared their opinion on the importance of features supporting drug information and patient counselling, medication safety and interprofessional collaboration. Conclusion The managers and staff pharmacists have different views of the importance of IT features, reflecting their different professional duties in the community pharmacy. A high priority was given for the features familiar to the users and needed in their daily practice. This indicates the need for involving different occupation groups in planning the new IT systems for community pharmacies.     

Concordance-based adherence support service delivery: consumer perspectives

Objectives: To explore consumers’ attitudes towards, and expectations of, adherence support services in primary health care, specifically in community pharmacy; and to explore consumers’ attitudes towards the concept of concordance. Setting: An exploratory qualitative study conducted in Metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Method: Three focus group discussions with consumers on chronic therapy (n = 22) and two focus groups with consumer representatives (n = 15) were conducted in 2002. Consumer representatives were peer educators volunteering in an association which promotes quality use of medicines among elderly patients. All discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and thematically content analysed. Main outcome measures: Consumers’ experiences with adherence support services delivered by general practitioners and pharmacists, their expectations towards general practitioners’ and pharmacists’ role in adherence support; and attitudes towards concordance in consultations. Results: Participants expected an increased provision of medicine information and a reduction in the number of medications taken as the main strategies to promote adherence. They believed that once understandable information had been delivered, it was their responsibility to take their medications as prescribed. Yet participants frequently complained about the information received, especially from doctors. Only a subgroup of participants expected pharmacists to be involved in adherence support services. These participants generally relied on pharmacists for medicine information and were satisfied with the communication process when interacting with the pharmacists. All participants were positive about concordance, because they valued two-way communication and increased consideration of their needs and beliefs by healthcare professionals. However, they were hesitant about being involved in a shared treatment decision-making process. Many participants focused on concordance with doctors and identified barriers to the establishment of concordance: time pressures, financial constraints, the gap of competence and power between patients and doctors. Conclusions: Pharmacists should consider consumers’ needs for information and establishing concordance, as well as their expectations of the pharmacy profession, in delivering concordance based adherence support services. Given participants’ high demand for medicine information, an opportunity might exist for pharmacists to influence consumers’ expectations by offering information which is tailored towards their needs.     

The knowledge and attitude of the Turkish community pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul

Objective We investigated the knowledge and attitudes of community pharmacists towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Kadık?y district of Istanbul (Turkey). Setting The community pharmacies in Kadikoy. Kadikoy is one of the biggest districts of Istanbul and has the largest number of pharmacies. Kadikoy district was divided into two regions, the central and the peripheral. Method Between December 2005 and June 2006 we conducted a survey about the knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists (n = 219) using a face-to-face questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of the pharmacists, their knowledge of pharmacovigilance and their attitudes towards ADR reporting. Main outcomes measured The knowledge of pharmacovigilance practice, ADR reporting compliance rates, reasons for not reporting ADR and perceptions of the Turkish community pharmacists on pharmacovigilance practice were evaluated. Results Although all 411 pharmacies in the Kadikoy district were visited, only 53% of the community pharmacists (n = 219) consented to participate in the study. Of those that did respond, only 17.2% of the pharmacists had any knowledge about ‘pharmacovigilance’. Sixty-five percent of the pharmacists stated that patients reported an ADR to them during the previous 12 months, and 21% of pharmacists reported to the concerned organizations. Our survey showed that only 7% actually reported an ADR to the national pharmacovigilance center. On the other hand, 89% of the pharmacists believed that the role of the pharmacist in ADR reporting was essential. Conclusion The results show that Turkish community pharmacists have poor knowledge about pharmacovigilance. There is an urgent need for educational programs to train them about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting.