Abstract
Background
Patient access to wider medicine availability is part of UK government policy to help promote patient self- care. Over 80 medicines have been deregulated from prescription only control to sale through a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. With greater access to medicines the question of patient safety is important to consider. The aim of this pilot study was to determine community pharmacists’ views on safety of medicines and to inform further research.
Methods
Community pharmacists working within the boundary of Wolverhampton primary care trust (PCT) were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview.
Results
Three themes were identified: product safety; ensuring patient safety; and, patient misuse of medicines. Pharmacists thought current procedures to supply
medicines were broadly working but highlighted that misuse did occur.
Conclusions
Pharmacists believed that deregulated medicines were safe providing adequate mechanisms for their supply were in place; this is questionable as misuse of medicines was reported.
Patient access to wider medicine availability is part of UK government policy to help promote patient self- care. Over 80 medicines have been deregulated from prescription only control to sale through a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. With greater access to medicines the question of patient safety is important to consider. The aim of this pilot study was to determine community pharmacists’ views on safety of medicines and to inform further research.
Methods
Community pharmacists working within the boundary of Wolverhampton primary care trust (PCT) were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview.
Results
Three themes were identified: product safety; ensuring patient safety; and, patient misuse of medicines. Pharmacists thought current procedures to supply
medicines were broadly working but highlighted that misuse did occur.
Conclusions
Pharmacists believed that deregulated medicines were safe providing adequate mechanisms for their supply were in place; this is questionable as misuse of medicines was reported.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
| Journal | Journal for Health and Social Care Improvement |
| Volume | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2011 |