Abstract
Aim: To explore independent contractors' opinions on the proposed new medicines management service and to identify factors that may assist or hinder its implementation.
Design: Self-administered postal survey.
Subjects and setting: 750 independent pharmacy contractors practising in England and Wales.
Results: A usable response rate of 54% was obtained. Over three quarters of contractors relied on NHS receipts for over 70% of their income, yet less than 5% were satisfied with the levels of renumeration given and over half thought their skills were under-used. 61% thought it was time for a new contract, although the majority (80%) only had a partial understanding of the proposed new medicines management service. Despite this 81% said they were prepared to participate in the new contract although only a minority (11%) said they had skills currently to do so. Training on clinical aspects of drug management was perceived as being the greatest need. Contractors were opposed to other health care professionals fulfilling the medicines management service (nurses 76%,GPs 53%) as well as freelance pharmacists (51%). Contractors acknowledged that GPs would still remain the key health care professional in patient management they must have confidence in community pharmacists' ability.
Conclusion: Independent contractors are committed to a new contract that incorporates a medicines management service. Drivers for change appear to include dissatisfaction with current renumeration, threats posed by other health care professionals and a desire to better use their skills.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 121-123 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Pharmaceutical Journal |
| Volume | 273 |
| Issue number | 7309 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jul 2004 |