E-drug: Pharmacists et al
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I am responding, rather belatedly (but I have only just laid my hands on
the relevant article), to the message David Gilbert sent on 7 October 1999,
in connection with the advice handed out in pharmacies in the UK. The
British Pharmaceutical Journal, dated 3 April 1999 , page 454, published an
article about the latest "Which?" survey of advice given in pharmacies when
medicines are sold.
In order to set the record straight I quote from the article:
"A new 'Which?' survey of advice given in pharmacies when medicines are
sold has found that pharmacists generally give good advice and recommend
appropriate treatment.
Not so satisfactory, however, were the findings in relation to advice and
sales by assistants, despite the introduction of medicines sales protocols.
Comparing its findings with a previous survey in 1996 (PJ, January 6 1996,
p8), in which researchers were 'sold an inappropriate drug' in around half
of visits, 'Which?' said: 'this time, the responses were unsatisfactory in
more than two-thirds of visits. In most of these cases, our researchers
were served by counter-assistants only, whose questioning and advice was
either inappropriate or non-existent.'
More positively, however, the survey found that when a private talk with a
pharmacist was sought 'most responded sensitively...and in all cases the
treatment recommended by the pharmacist was appropriate and the advice
given was generally good.'
'Which?' says 'It is clear from our results that you are more likely to get
the right advice about medicines if you speak to the pharmacist rather than
to their assistants. But you may have to ask to do so.' "
David Gilbert did not give the pharmacists any credit for their advice in
the email he posted.
However, although pharmacists are giving the right advice, something needs
to be done about their assistants. More training......or be instructed to
refer queries to the pharmacist?
Susan Buekes
Pharmacist
(Presently taking a break!)
P O Box 13873
Cascades
3202
South Africa
Telephone: +27-33-3471739
Cellphone: 083-474-9571
email: buekes@mweb.co.za
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