bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of the community pharmacist — a survey of public opinion in Northern Ireland
Authors: McElnay J C , Nicholl A J , Grainger-Rousseau T-J 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Data from a survey of 906 members of the public (570 females, 336 males; age range 13–90 years) with regard to opinions on, and use of present and proposed community pharmacy services are presented. It was shown that the majority of people (67.7 per cent) visit pharmacies at least once a month. Females visit pharmacies more frequently than males (P&lt;0.05). Respondents who were less than 25 years old were more likely than older age groups to purchase non-prescription medicines from pharmacies although they were less likely to use the same pharmacy (P&lt;0.05). Proximity to a person's home was the major deciding factor for patronising a particular pharmacy (43.7 per cent). The major factor determining choice of non-prescription medicines was previous use (34.7 per cent), with pharmacist's advice (29.3 per cent) the second most frequent response. For a range of common minor ailments, respondents were more likely to seek their doctor's advice or self-treat the condition than seek advice from the pharmacist. With respect to extended role activities, 93.4 per cent felt that the pharmacist had a role to play in health education, the provision of individualised advice being the most frequently noted method for this (34.6 per cent). Health screening services were highly supported (90.6 per cent), as was the maintenance of patient medication records (93.6 per cent). A greater proportion of the younger age group (&lt;25 years old) than the older age groups supported the provision of health screening services (P&lt;0.05). In response to a question on services that the public would like to see provided by community pharmacists, the most popular responses were: giving more advice on the treatment of minor ailments and the provision of a private consultation area within the pharmacy. Overall, the results show a positive response to the current and future use of community based pharmaceutical services.
Self-medication by patients presenting to an ophthalmic casualty department
Authors: Hardy N , Hodgkins P , Luff A , Elkington A 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
This study examines the outcome of a period of self-medication prior to presentation at an ophthalmic casualty department. One hundred patients who had self-medicated completed a questionnaire at the time of presentation. Eleven different products/brands were used in self-medication, the most popular being Brolene drops or ointment (n = 55). Forty-five patients had sought advice from a community pharmacist, eight from a nurse and four from an optometrist. Forty-three patients had taken no professional advice. The period of self-medication was judged by an ophthalmologist to be insignificant in 73 of the cases, beneficial in four and detrimental in 23. Of the 23 cases judged “detrimental”, self-medication was considered in 19 cases to have delayed the treatment of a painful condition, and in four cases to have potentially threatened the visual outcome.
An investigation into patient compliance with hospital discharge medication in a local population
Authors: Eagleton Julie M , Walker Fiona S , Barber Nicholas D 
Published: February 2011

AbstractCompliance with prescribed drug treatment within two weeks of discharge from hospital was studied in 50 patients discharged from acute medical wards. Patient knowledge about medicines and factors influencing compliance were investigated. A combination of tablet counts and questionnaires was used. Eleven patients were found to have deviated from the prescribed regimen. The prescribing of complex drug regimens appeared to be one of the factors affecting non-compliance. Patient knowledge about their medicines was generally poor, with less than one quarter knowing the names and purposes of all their medicines, and 70 per cent not knowing about any single side effect their medicines could cause. No correlation was found between poor knowledge and non-compliance. The attitudinal questionnaire used was not helpful in identifying non-compliers.
Iatrogenic bismuth toxicity associated with inadvertent long term De-Noltab ingestion
Authors: Ching C K , Long R G , O'Hara R , Richardson J 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
A prolonged course of oral tripotassium dicitratobismuthate (De-Noltab) was administered to an elderly woman. The patient developed extrapyramidal neurological symptoms and subsequently sustained accidental fracture of the right neck of the femur before bismuth toxicity was identified. The parkinsonian features that presented in this patient were thought to be possibly related to the accumulation of bismuth in the basal ganglia as a result of the long term ingestion of tripotassium dicitratobismuthate.
Prolonged treatment with the drug should be discouraged and repeat prescriptions should always be queried.
A multicentre study of dispensing errors in British hospitals
Authors: Spencer Michael G , Smith Andrew P 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Nineteen hospital pharmacies in Britain participated in a study of dispensing errors. All dispensing errors (errors detected outside the department) and a sample of dispensing incidents (errors detected as part of the checking process) were recorded using a standard data collection form over a period of six months. One hundred and seventy-eight errors and 1,500 incidents were analysed. The overall error rate was 18.1/100,000 dispensed items (range 2.9–49.1/100,000). The mean error rate was 11.5/100,000 items in hospitals where all dispensing is checked and 35/100,000 items in hospitals where only items dispensed by non-pharmacists are checked. There were also differences in type between errors and incidents −31.7 per cent of incidents involved incorrect directions on the label compared with 17.4 per cent of errors; 34.2 per cent of incidents involved the wrong drug or drug strength being dispensed compared with 45.5 per cent of errors. One hundred and forty-five different drugs were involved in the 178 errors, with three drugs being involved in six errors each (flucloxacillin, glyceryl trinitrate and frusemide). The results of this study can contribute to the preparation of risk management strategies for dispensing.
Effect of Replens vaginal moisturiser on latex rubber condoms: a comparison with oil and water based preparations
Authors: Lee M G , Morris P 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The effect of Replens vaginal moisturiser on the tensile properties of latex rubber condoms was compared with that of baby oil, K-Y jelly, Nystan cream and Duracreme. The tensile strength and elongation at break of test pieces cut from condoms were measured after immersion in each of the test products for five minutes. The tensile properties of the latex was unaffected after treatment with Replens. K-Y jelly, Duracreme and Replens produced similar results.
Patient acceptability of cyclical etidronate and calcium therapy and symptomatic response to treatment
Authors: Curle A J , Cantrill J A 
Published: February 2011

AbstractOne hundred and seventeen patients (75 per cent women) with established osteoporosis were entered into a clinical trial assessing two regimes of cyclical etidronate and calcium (Cacit). Some subjective parameters of clinical outcome were assessed prior to, and during, treatment. Patient acceptability of therapy was also examined.There was a significant reduction in pain score (median scores from a 10-point visual analogue scale at 0, 6–12 and 15–24 months were 4, 2 and 1, respectively) and in analgesic consumption (32 per cent, 51 per cent and 65 per cent of patients at 0, 6–12 and 15–24 months, respectively, were using no analgesics). Sleeping patterns improved significantly during the study but there was no change in hypnotic consumption. Sixty-four per cent of patients felt there had been an improvement in their condition and 79 per cent felt that attending the clinic had helped them come to terms with osteoporosis.Etidronate was well tolerated: 23 per cent of patients experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects; 94 per cent were prepared to continue with treatment indefinitely. However, 43 per cent felt their daily routine was interrupted by taking etidronate. The Cacit was poorly tolerated: 50 per cent of patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects, 28 per cent had to discontinue calcium because of side effects and 24 per cent felt their daily routine was altered by taking calcium. Eighty-five per cent were, however, prepared to continue with some form of calcium supplement indefinitely.In conclusion, etidronate therapy was an acceptable form of treatment in this group of patients and provided some symptomatic improvement. However, the choice of calcium supplement was less acceptable and may lead to non-compliance with treatment.
Placebo effect: its role in adherence, treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes
Authors: Tucker Patricia P , Wertheimer Albert I 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Research on the placebo effect and its hypothetical relationship to adherence and improved patient outcomes is reviewed. Future research for pharmacists is highlighted. Clinicians and researchers have alternately attempted to suppress, control for and maximise the placebo response. Much research has been conducted to identify the placebo responder. The placebo response is seldom uniform, constant or predictable, and neither sex, age, intelligence, ethnic, cultural or social factors are predictive of it. However, no research has investigated the relationship of adherence, placebo effects and patient outcomes. Adherence to therapy and its role in activating the placebo response is described. Efforts to increase adherence may increase treatment effectiveness by activating the placebo response. The pharmacist may be in an ideal position to better understand the placebo effect and its role in enhancing patient outcomes. The placebo effect, thus, may be a useful part of the care giver's armamentarium.
Factors associated with the prescribing of extemporaneous preparations in Sweden
Authors: Lindblad Åsa Kettis , Isacson DAG 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Extemporaneous preparations are drugs that are compounded for individual patients or made in larger batches for stock-keeping. This study aimed to analyse factors associated with the prescribing of such preparations in Sweden.
Information was taken from the Swedish diagnosis and therapy survey for the time period October, 1986, to September, 1988, inclusive. This survey collects from a random sample of doctors the details of all prescriptions they write during one week, as well as all corresponding diagnoses. The present study analysed extemporaneous prescriptions and the characteristics of doctors issuing them.
Of the 2,142 doctors who contributed prescriptions to the survey, 19 per cent wrote at least one prescription for an extemporaneous preparation. Young patients obtained such preparations more than older patients. Proportionately fewer of the youngest doctors prescribed them. Dermatologists prescribed extemporaneous preparations much more commonly than other doctors, and most of the preparations concerned were dermatologicals. The most common diagnosis for the prescribing of these preparations was contact eczema, with psoriasis second. The findings suggest that the prescribing of extemporaneous preparations is established and continuing and not just a feature of obsolete practice. However, the appropriateness of these products should be further analysed and assessed to ensure that they are clinically and pharmaceutically safe and effective.
Application of a formal prescription monitoring service to community pharmacy
Authors: Donaldson S M , Radley A S , Kendall H E 
Published: February 2011

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.
How do pharmacy staff perceive customers who receive an antibiotic?
Authors: Lilja John , Larsson Sam 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse how two groups of pharmacy staff, one Finnish and one Swedish, perceived video-taped customers who were receiving prescribed antibiotics. The study was based on a model derived from cognitive and interactional psychology.
Customers who were presumed to want more extensive drug and health information tended to be regarded as more compliant than other customers. “Independent” customers tended to be regarded as less compliant than other customers. Few differences were found between the results for the Finnish and the Swedish groups, indicating that the professional culture in the two countries is similar. The study found that the pharmacist's judgment of the level of drug compliance is influenced by the pharmacist's metacognitive assumptions regarding the customer's personality and the situation within which the customer acts.
Patient satisfaction with arthritis medication
Authors: Long A , Wynne H A 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Patient derived information to support the long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is lacking. In contrast, data detailing the adverse effects of individual NSAIDs is accumulating. We determined the importance of NSAIDs as therapy to 153 patients with osteoarthritis (age range 36 to 92), comparing results in elderly and younger patients. Around half of the patients reported moderate relief of symptoms, with a further quarter reporting good, or even excellent, relief. One half of patients aged 75 years or less, but only one fifth of patients aged over 75 years, recalled having been informed of the adverse effects of NSAIDs. A total of 59 per cent of patients reported having used simple analgesics, such as paracetamol, as first line therapy. As some patients are helped by them, we suggest that efforts should be directed towards increasing the first line use of simple analgesics in patients with osteoarthritis and towards increasing patient awareness of potential NSAID-related adverse effects.
Evaluation of the impact of recent changes in postgraduate continuing education for community pharmacists in England
Authors: Mottram David R , Rowe Philip H 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Postgraduate continuing education for community pharmacists in England has undergone a radical change since the establishment of the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) in 1992. The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of the introduction of the CPPE on levels of participation and attitudes towards continuing education. Comparisons are drawn with an analysis made in 1991. Results showed that 76.8 per cent of respondents had participated in CPPE-based continuing education, as either workshops or distance learning. This level of participation is far higher than that previously recorded. Those pharmacists who attended the workshops also tended to request distance learning packages, while a significant proportion of users of distance learning declined to attend workshops. Owners of community pharmacies were significantly more likely than managers to use computer assisted learning material. Attitudes concerning restraints against participation in continuing education focused on the value pharmacists place on their spare time and the absence of a postgraduate education allowance for community pharmacists.
Role of the community pharmacist in the care of patients with chronic schizophrenia in the community
Authors: Maslen C L , Rees L , Redfern P H 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
This study, using a postal questionnaire, investigated the involvement of 534 community pharmacists with patients suffering from schizophrenia. The majority of the 236 respondents regularly dispensed medication for patients with schizophrenia and almost three-quarters had been asked for advice about medication from such patients or their carers. However, the majority of respondents believed that the advice they could give to these patients was limited by their knowledge of schizophrenia (86 per cent) and of therapeutics (70 per cent). Other perceived constraints to giving advice included lack of contact with other health professionals, poor communication skills and lack of experience in dealing with the mentally ill. Respondents were significantly less confident about advising patients with schizophrenia than advising other patient groups. The results suggest that there is a need to encourage community pharmacists' participation in continuing education and to improve liaison with other community health professionals such as community psychiatric nurses.
The management and development of hospital pharmacy in the new National Health Service in the UK
Authors: Cotter Siobhan M , McKee Martin , Strong Philip M 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The introduction of an internal market in health care in the United Kingdom has created a structured relationship, defined by contracts, between health care providers, such as NHS hospitals, and purchasers, such as general practitioner fundholders. Similar relationships are developing within hospitals between clinical directorates and support service departments, such as pharmacy. A 1993/4 interview survey, conducted at eight hospitals, obtained the views of 129 pharmacy, nursing, medical and managerial staff on pharmacy service development and management in this new environment. Contracts between pharmacy and clinical directorates were in place in only two of the hospitals. Where contracts existed, pharmacy managers viewed them positively but they acknowledged the resultant managerial challenges. Most pharmacy managers at sites without contracts were threatened by the prospect of them. In contrast, non-pharmacy staff welcomed contracts as an opportunity to define their service requirements. For most managers of support services such as pharmacy, the implementation of the internal market will present challenges. Managers will need to become familiar with their customers' needs using information from several sources, including pharmacists working within directorates. Then efforts will have to be made to negotiate contracts that meet those needs while permitting the further development of staff and services.
An adverse drug reaction reporting scheme for community pharmacists
Authors: Whittlesea Cate M C , Walker Roger 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
During a 17-month study to determine if community pharmacists have access to sufficient appropriate and relevant information to complete adverse drug reaction reports, 21 out of 98 pharmacies submitted 49 ADR reports. Each report required 31 fields of information. Between 15 and 30 fields were completed on each report. Twelve reports covered “new” medicines (identified in the British National Formulary by a black triangle), 19 “established” medicines, nine generic medicines and nine pharmacy only (P) medicines. Evaluation of the reports by a panel of six pharmacists revealed total agreement that 16 of the reports (33 per cent) were ADRs but one was not. A further 16 (33 per cent) reports were considered by all but one panel member to be ADRs. There was a varying level of agreement over the remaining 17 (35 per cent) reports. Eight months into the study, the participating pharmacists evaluated the scheme by postal questionnaire. The replies indicated that submitting reports to both the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and the patient's general medical practitioner were the preferred route of 87 per cent and 75 per cent of respondents, respectively, for reporting ADRs to new and established prescription only medicines, while 59 per cent favoured direct submission to the CSM alone for ADRs to medicines purchased over the counter. The results demonstrate that the pharmacist has appropriate knowledge and access to sufficient information to identify and submit ADR reports.
Variability of prescribed daily doses (PDDs) with respect to sex and age in the usage of simvastatin
Authors: Truter I , Van Kotze T J W 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The variability of the prescribed daily dose (PDD) of simvastatin for different sex and age groups was investigated. Prescription data for 2,336 patients, on various medical schemes, who were using hypolipidaemic drugs on a chronic basis were analysed retrospectively over a one-year period ending on March 27, 1995. Most patients (62.5 per cent) on simvastatin were between 50 and 69 years of age. The average PDD of simvastatin was 12.6mg (12.5mg for females and 12.7mg for males). Average PDDs were in all cases lower than the defined daily dose (DDD) of 15mg, except for females aged 30 to 39 years. In almost all age and sex groups, a dose of 10mg was the median as well as the mode. The standard deviation of the PDD for females and males decreased after the age interval of 40 to 49 years.
Variation exists in the dosage regimen of most drugs, depending on a multitude of factors, such as the severity of the disease state, sex and age. This was also the case with simvastatin for this patient sample.
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH METHODS IN PHARMACY: Introduction
Authors: Smith Felicity 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
This article forms the introduction to a series of review articles designed to guide readers on the selection and application of different health service research methodologies in pharmacy practice research. The reviews will discuss different methods that have been used in pharmacy practice settings, their advantages and disadvantages, problems that have arisen and how these have been addressed. The first article, on survey research, follows on p152. Future articles, which will include discussion of semi-structured and qualitative interviews, observation studies, and research into service evaluation, are planned for later issues