A role for community pharmacists in the control of anticoagulant therapy

Thirty-four patients presenting prescriptions for anticoagulants to a community pharmacy were surveyed on various aspects of their treatment and clinic arrangements. A high priority was placed on the possibility of a local clinic. Thirty-two from 68 general practitioners responded to an attitude survey. Of the 32 respondents, a majority would support a community pharmacist anticoagulant service. To a lesser extent, hospital pharmacists and current anticoagulant clinic managers see a need for satellite facilities and many agree that suitably experienced community pharmacists could fulfil this role.