Application of a formal prescription monitoring service to community pharmacy

S. M. Donaldson, A. S. Radley (Lead / Corresponding author), H. E. Kendall

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A three‐month study in a suburban health centre pharmacy investigated whether a clinical pharmacy service could be carried out in the community setting. Each week, all the prescriptions from the three general practitioners in one of the health centre's six practices were monitored. After referral to the patients' medical notes, the pharmacist identified the prescriptions that required discussion with the prescriber. The outcome of these prescription interventions was recorded. A one‐month follow up study was carried out after the initial study period. Level 3 PACT data were consulted to establish changes in prescribing patterns and cost savings. During the three‐month study period, 5,162 items were monitored. A total of 354 interventions were made, of which 216 (61 per cent) were accepted by the doctors and resulted in the prescription being changed. During the follow‐up study, 2,462 items were monitored and 82 interventions made.

    The most important outcomes of the study were that the service encouraged discussion between the pharmacist and GPs about clinical problems, and that it provided an opportunity for pharmaceutical skills positively to influence patient care. All three GPs said they would like to see the clinical service provided on a long term basis and thought it should be funded by the local family health services authority. There was also a fall in costs, although this was not analysed statistically; the practice's prescribing costs were 9 per cent below the local FHSA average for the study period and 8 per cent below the FHSA average the following quarter. Prior to the study they had been 2 per cent above the local FHSA average. 1995 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)110-114
    Number of pages5
    JournalInternational Journal of Pharmacy Practice
    Volume3
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 1995

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pharmacy
    • Pharmaceutical Science
    • Health Policy
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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