Community Pharmacy Practitioners Research Articles

Entrepreneurial Skills and Performance of Pharmaceutical Firms in Anambra State Nigeria

This study is an eye-opener for pharmaceutical students to learn from the experience of older pharmaceutical retail businesses on survival skills required in Nigeria's health sector. The study examined how registered pharmaceutical retail enterprises in Nigeria's Anambra State performed with their entrepreneurial qualities. The research used a descriptive survey methodology. Using Taro Yamane’s statistical technique from 1961, a sample of 180 community pharmacy practitioners in the Nigerian state of Anambra with 328 registered licenses was selected. Regression and correlation analyses were the utilized statistical methods. The study results show that entrepreneurial mentoring and innovative capability significantly favours the success of pharmaceutical retail firms in the Nigerian state of Anambra. The study concludes that developing entrepreneurial abilities is essential for improved performance, regardless of how skilled community pharmacy practitioners may be. There were some recommendations in keeping with the study's findings.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Dispensing Practice of Emergency Contraceptive Pills among Community Pharmacists: A Cross-sectional Survey

Background: The improper or incorrect usage of birth control results in unintended pregnancy. In India, 78% of pregnancies are accidental, with unwanted pregnancies accounting for about 25% of all pregnancies. The family, society, and country may all be financially impacted by such pregnancies. Community pharmacists must have a good attitude and sufficient knowledge of emergency contraception pills (ECPs) in order for women to receive them in a timely manner and as a result, have fewer unintended pregnancies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and, practices of community pharmacy practitioners towards ECPs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on retail pharmacies located in Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai. A standardized questionnaire was used in 164 community pharmacies to interview about CPPs using a convenience sampling technique. The survey evaluated the CPP's dispensing procedures, knowledge, attitude, and demographic profile. Data analysis was carried out by using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 164 registered pharmacists participated in the study, which included 76.1 % (n=124) males and 23.9% (n=39) females. Among all the participants, 73.0% of them had a diploma in pharmacy (D Pharm) education, and half of the study participants had a working experience between 1-5 years. In this study, 56.64 %, 27.6%, and 16% of participants had average knowledge, sound knowledge, and poor knowledge, respectively. Results showed that 90.2% (147) of pharmacists came under the positive attitude category, 5.5% of pharmacists had a negative attitude, and 4.3% had a neutral attitude. A moderate positive linear relationship (0.401) existed between the knowledge and attitude of the pharmacist in this study. Attitude and dispensing of emergency OC as OTC to people older than 18 years old and less than 18 years old showed a moderate negative linear relationship. After adjusting the possible confounder variables, age and years of experience significantly affected the knowledge, attitude, and practice of EC. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study has shown that there is generally a lack of knowledge and poor attitude toward emergency contraceptive medicines among community pharmacists. Therefore, it is recommended that improving pharmacist's knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) through proper training and counseling about EC can enhance the appropriate use of drugs.

Role of community pharmacy and pharmacists in self care in Sweden

BackgroundSelf care is an important concept, which is increasingly being applied by policy makers on a large scale. It is associated with improved health literacy and technological advances. Community pharmacy practitioners are easily accessible for self care counselling, purchase of non-prescription products and for referrals to other healthcare providers. ObjectiveTo describe self care policies and strategies in Swedish healthcare authorities, pharmaceutical organizations and community pharmacy. MethodsA search was conducted to retrieve self care policy documents and strategies in Swedish healthcare authorities, pharmaceutical organizations and community pharmacy on respective websites, as well as personal contacts with key persons in pharmaceutical organizations and community pharmacy practice. ResultsA new law on self care was adopted by the Swedish Parliament becoming effective in 2023. The law defines self care as a healthcare measure that has been assessed by a treating licenced healthcare practitioner to be possible to be performed by the patient him/herself. The law includes a wide range of measures. According to a Government Commission that followed Sweden's the National Pharmaceutical Strategy's Action Plan in 2018, the Medical Products Agency (MPA) was assigned to establish requirements of qualifications in self care counselling. In its report in late 2022, the MPA stated that self care counselling by community pharmacy practitioners plays an important role in society. The new requirements are expected to become effective in mid-2023. None of the four community pharmacy chains operating 97% of Sweden's community pharmacies have developed any specific self care policies, although self care counselling and sales of non-prescription products, as well as provision of some primary healthcare services, constitute important components of their operations. Furthermore, all Swedish pharmacies offer several digital self care solutions, supporting people to manage their own health. Neither the Swedish Pharmacy Association, representing most pharmacies, nor the Swedish Pharmacists Association, the trade union, have developed any self care policies. However, the Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry is promulgating Swedish self care reform using a systematic review of self care and which medicines should be over-the-counter. ConclusionsSelf care is not currently established as a core pillar of a Swedish national health strategy. There are further opportunities to enable pharmacists to fulfil their potential in supporting individual wellbeing and promoting self care interventions. A new system needs to be created which fully integrates the promotion of everyday wellbeing, self care for self-treatable conditions and the management of long-term conditions.

Assessment of Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases Empiric Management in community pharmacies of Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan, Iraq

Objective: Irrational of management of URT diseases has undeniable negative impact on patient outcome, health care cost and antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the empirical management of upper respiratory tract infections in community pharmacies. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in community pharmacies found in Sulaymaniyah city from March 25, 2021 to April 24, 2021. Fifty-one pharmacies were selected purposively and a respondent in each pharmacy was selected based on convenience. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire comprised of items concentrating on the socio-demographic characteristics, academic status, ownership status, without prescription antibiotic dispensing, causes and medications for URTIs, and referral was used. The data was analyzed by STATA 14 statistical software and summarized in tables and figures. Results: The average age of study participants was 31.3 years ± 8.0 years; the age ranges from 21 to 59 years. The average number of URTI cases seen by a community pharmacy practitioner per day was 3.9±1.9. Common cold (n=21), pharyngitis (n=16), sinusitis (n=14) and rhinitis (n=13) were the top four conditions treated inside community pharmacies. Antibiotics (n=29), analgesics (n=19) and antihistamines (n=17) were the most frequently used class of medicines to manage URTIs. From the total, 29 (56.9%) dispense antibiotics without physician request to manage URTIs. Level of education (P=0.003) and ownership status (P=0.011) had a statistically significant association with antibiotics dispensing without prescription. Conclusion: On average at least four URT diseases cases visit a community pharmacy per day and, common cold and pharyngitis were the most common types. The use of antibiotics without prescription for the treatment of URT diseases was rampant. We highlight the need for a larger survey on the skill of community pharmacy practitioners on the management of URT diseases.

Profile of Therapy Adherence-Prolanis Related to Sociodemography: A Literature Review

The results of this literature review present a profile of measuring adherence to therapy in prolanis member. More specifically, the authors explored the adherence related to the sociodemographic variants. The literature search utilizes the Google Scholar data storage base. Researchers used two variants of keywords; (1) “prolanis” and “drug”, (2) “prolanis” and “pharmaceutical”. The literature search is limited to the results of publications during the years 2010-2020. Literature review studies only involve research results that meet the following inclusion criteria; (1) scientific articles published after going through the peer review process, (2) research involving sociodemographic variables and therapy adherence index, (3) research involving only prolanis participants, and (4) research results showing correlation values between variables. A total of 9 articles met the inclusion criteria according to the research objectives. This literature review involved 644 respondents from 12 health centers and 1 treatment center as subjects in this study. The results of our literature review confirm that prolanis participants need family support and adequate knowledge, in order to adhere to therapy. In addition, we also conclude that there is no relationship between gender differences and adherence to therapy. Based on these conclusions, we recommend community pharmacy practitioners, to optimize educational services and provide basic information about drugs, both to prolanis participants and their families. We note that researchers have not mutually agreed on the relationship between therapy adherence with age, education, type of work and home pharmacy care services in prolanis. The exploration of sociodemographic variables, which is still a matter of debate, is a priority for further research to identify adherence to prolanis therapy. We also suggest to future researchers to avoid the use of MMAS-8. The use of questionnaires without permission from the inventor is prone to licensing problems.

The Danish Network for Community Pharmacy Practice Research and Development.

The community pharmacy has a number of attributes that makes it an excellent setting for research and development projects, as it is a highly accessible part of the healthcare system and is staffed by highly trained health care professionals. The big turnover in patients in the community pharmacy makes it possible to reach a great number of patients and collect a lot of data in a relatively short time. However, conducting nation-wide research and development projects can be a rather time-consuming process for the individual community pharmacy, and can thus require collaboration with other community pharmacies and researchers. This will help ensure strong results and better implementation. Thus, the Danish Network for Community Pharmacy Practice for Research and Development (NUAP) was established in Denmark by a number of highly committed community pharmacies and researchers. NUAP consists of 102 member pharmacy owners in addition to a number of researchers. The aim of the network is to strengthen pharmacy practice and pharmacy practice research in Denmark by providing a forum where community pharmacy practitioners and researchers meet and work together. The network is led by a steering committee elected by the members in the network.

COMMUNITY PHARMACY ROLE IN UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN MOMBASA COUNTY

Community pharmacy role in universal health coverage was a qualitative study that entailed close contact to the role played by community pharmacies in healthcare provision. As a "small healthcare" in provision of pharmaceutical services, community pharmacies are required to be included in realization of Universal Health Coverage in Mombasa since it is among the Big 4 Agenda of the national government (MOH, 2013). The objective of the study was to determine community pharmacy role in universal health coverage. A descriptive cross sectional study design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data and the design estimate the prevalence of the outcome of interest commonly for the purpose of public health planning. A sample size of 196 was calculated using fishers formula. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and structured questionnaire were administered on a target population of community pharmacies health providers and clients seeking services respectively. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and interpreted using tables and pie charts. On community pharmacy practitioners respondents; 58% were male, 90.3% diploma holders in pharmacy, 39.8% registered with PPB and 65% had practised for less than two years. 78% of the respondents agree that community pharmacy has a role in UHC and there was 74% affordability of community pharmacy medicines. Bivariate analysis findings show that training and inspection on UHC (P=0.003) Covid 19 (p=0.000) and inspection fee (p=0.000). Accessibility; location of community pharmacies (p=0.000) and doctors attitudes (p=0.000). Essential medicines; acyclovir 200mg tablets (p=0.000), chlorpromazine 100mg tablets (p=0.000) and tetanus toxoid vaccine (p=0.000). Key determinants of community pharmacy role in UHC were diploma (AOR 666.7; CI 129.6-3429.5), Erythromycin 125mg suspension (AOR 120.3; CI 15.4-940.8), Acyclovir 200mg tablets (AOR 46.823; CI 17.7-124.1) and Occupation (AOR 45.271; CI 15.363-133.404. The study recommends reduction of tax on essential medicines, MOH revise the UHC policy to incorporate community pharmacies and empowerment on management of controlled drugs and vaccines in order to realize effective and efficient UHC in Kenya

Knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraceptive pills among community pharmacy practitioners working in Kathmandu Valley: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundUnintended pregnancy occurs due to incorrect or inconsistent use of a contraception method. Such pregnancies can create an economic burden on the family, society and nation as a whole. Unintended pregnancy is the underlying cause of abortion which can also result in infertility and maternal death. Adequate knowledge of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and positive attitudes among the community pharmacy practitioners (CPPs) is a prerequisite for timely access of ECP, thus ultimately lessening the incidence of unintended pregnancies. This study intended to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice of CPPs toward ECPs in Kathmandu valley.MethodsCross-sectional study conducted in community pharmacies located in three districts of Kathmandu valley. A convenience sampling method was employed to interview CPPs in 227 community pharmacies using a validated questionnaire. Questionnaire assessed the demographic characteristics; knowledge, attitude and dispensing practice of the CPPs. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis using SPSS 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).ResultsApproximately 75% of respondents had a good practice on dispensing ECPs, and 70% of them counselled all the users. A significant association (p-value< 0.05) was obtained between the dispensing practice of respondents and their knowledge level. ECP related knowledge was higher among the age group 40–49 years, BPharm degree holders with experience above 10 years and community pharmacies located inside the city and in the Kathmandu district. After adjusting the possible confounder variables, age, degree and district of pharmacy were significantly associated with knowledge. Similarly, respondents’ practice towards ECP was higher among the age group 40–49 years with experience above 10 years and community pharmacies located inside the city and in the Kathmandu district. Adjusted for other variables, only community pharmacies located at Kathmandu district was significantly associated with the practice.ConclusionCPPs lacked specific important information on ECP and opined against its’ availability as an over-the-counter drug, despite good overall knowledge and positive attitude. Many thought that ECP without prescription would increase promiscuity towards sexual behaviour and result in unsafe sex along with its’ repeated use. Hence, training and proper counselling strategies should be afoot to refine the delivery of service by CPPs.

Knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among community pharmacy practitioners working in Kathmandu, Nepal: A pilot study.

Good knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019, among community pharmacy practitioners (CPPs), will enable them to provide correct information and support to patients, convey instructions from the public health authorities and protect their own health.Objective:The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019 among CPPs working in Kathmandu, Nepal.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling method from 10 February to 25 March 2020. Data were analysed descriptively, and one-sample independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare scores among different subgroups of respondents (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses (following analysis of variance) were done using the Bonferroni test.Results:A total of 81 CPPs participated. Mean ± standard deviation age was 26.70 ± 5.29 years. Majority of the respondents were male (64.2%). Many CPPs (40.7%) had work experience between 1 and 5 years. Almost half (45.7%) had an educational qualification of Diploma in Pharmacy. Significant differences in knowledge (p = 0.022) and preparedness (p < 0.001) were found among individuals with differing levels of work experience. Similarly, a significant difference was found between knowledge-preparedness and work experience (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001), location of pharmacy (p < 0.001) and educational qualification (p = 0.031). Awareness (p < 0.001) and preparedness scores (p = 0.049) were different among community pharmacies with the different number of medicines available.Conclusion:Knowledge was found to be higher in CPPs with a work experience of more than 5 years. CPPs working at larger community pharmacies were more aware and prepared. CPPs’ knowledge, awareness and preparedness should be evaluated more widely and strengthened.

Can community pharmacy practitioners support patients who take oral anticancer medication? Patients’ needs and views

As more oral anticancer agents are available community pharmacy practitioners (CPPs) may need to play a greater role in supporting people with cancer. This article describes a service evaluation that aimed to identify the supportive care needs of patients who take oral anticancer medication (OAM). The objectives were to identify whether patients visit their community pharmacy in relation to their cancer or OAM and to explore their perceptions and experiences of support from CPPs. Findings from a survey, focus group and interviews show patients have mixed experiences of and opinions about CPPs. The article suggests that community pharmacy is an underused resource for people with cancer, probably because of low awareness by patients and lack of training for CPPs in supporting patients taking OAMs. Patient education and further training of pharmacists in this area would be beneficial to both parties and could reduce some of the pressures on health services.

Testing the organizational theory of innovation implementation effectiveness in a community pharmacy medication management program: a hurdle regression analysis

BackgroundMany state Medicaid programs are implementing pharmacist-led medication management programs to improve outcomes for high-risk beneficiaries. There are a limited number of studies examining implementation of these programs, making it difficult to assess why program outcomes might vary across organizations. To address this, we tested the applicability of the organizational theory of innovation implementation effectiveness to examine implementation of a community pharmacy Medicaid medication management program.MethodsWe used a hurdle regression model to examine whether organizational determinants, such as implementation climate and innovation-values fit, were associated with effective implementation. We defined effective implementation in two ways: implementation versus non-implementation and program reach (i.e., the proportion of the target population that received the intervention). Data sources included an implementation survey administered to participating community pharmacies and administrative data.ResultsThe findings suggest that implementation climate is positively and significantly associated with implementation versus non-implementation (AME = 2.65, p < 0.001) and with program reach (AME = 5.05, p = 0.001). Similarly, the results suggest that innovation-values fit is positively and significantly associated with implementation (AME = 2.17, p = 0.037) and program reach (AME = 11.79, p < 0.001). Some structural characteristics, such as having a clinical pharmacist on staff, were significant predictors of implementation and program reach whereas other characteristics, such as pharmacy type or prescription volume, were not.ConclusionsOur study supported the use of the organizational theory of innovation implementation effectiveness to identify organizational determinants that are associated with effective implementation (e.g., implementation climate and innovation-values fit). Unlike broader environmental factors or structural characteristics (e.g., pharmacy type), implementation climate and innovation-values fit are modifiable factors and can be targeted through intervention—a finding that is important for community pharmacy practice. Additional research is needed to determine what implementation strategies can be used by community pharmacy leaders and practitioners to develop a positive implementation climate and innovation-values fit for medication management programs.

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF MALARIA RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ENUGU METROPOLIS, NIGERIA: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTITIONER

BackgroundMalaria is a great health burden in Nigeria. Since 2010, the World Health Organization issued guidelines that call for a shift from presumptive to test-based treatment. However, test-based treatment is...

What is a Pharmacist: Opinions of Pharmacy Department Academics and Community Pharmacists on Competences Required for Pharmacy Practice.

This paper looks at the opinions of 241 European academics (who provide pharmacy education), and of 258 European community pharmacists (who apply it), on competences for pharmacy practice. A proposal for competences was generated by a panel of experts using Delphi methodology. Once finalized, the proposal was then submitted to a large, European-wide community of academics and practicing pharmacists in an additional Delphi round. Academics and community pharmacy practitioners recognized the importance of the notion of patient care competences, underlining the nature of the pharmacist as a specialist of medicines. The survey revealed certain discrepancies. Academics placed substantial emphasis on research, pharmaceutical technology, regulatory aspects of quality, etc., but these were ranked much lower by community pharmacists who concentrated more on patient care competences. In a sub-analysis of the data, we evaluated how perceptions may have changed since the 1980s and the introduction of the notions of competence and pharmaceutical care. This was done by splitting both groups into respondents < 40 and > 40 years old. Results for the subgroups were essentially statistically the same but with some different qualitative tendencies. The results are discussed in the light of the different conceptions of the professional identity of the pharmacist.

Report on pharmacy specialization in Canada.

Specialization in pharmacy has been a topic of interest for Canadian thought-leaders within the profession since the mid-1980s. Over the years, a number of initiatives have taken place to explore and advance this concept, such as the formation of the now-defunct Canadian Board of Specialties in Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s Committee on Specialty Certification, the Task Group on Specialization in Canada and the Quebec initiative for the formal recognition of pharmacy specialties. With the expansion of pharmacists’ scopes of practice in Canada and the increased momentum of pharmacist specialization south of the border, the subject has gained renewed interest among hospital and community pharmacy practitioners and employers. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in the United States in 1973 and provides certification to pharmacists in areas such as pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care, nuclear, nutrition and psychiatric pharmacy. Until recently, the number of pharmacists obtaining certification through BPS was quite limited: by 2014, BPS had certified only 8% (21,906/290,780) of the country’s pharmacists (BPS Executive Director William Ellis, personal communication, Dec. 9, 2014). This number is increasing rapidly, however, and the organization expects to provide 25% (81,950/est. 327,800) of US pharmacists with specialty certification by 2020.1-3 Many international pharmacists are also now obtaining specialty certification through BPS as well as the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP), whether or not they receive official recognition for this certification in their home countries. The Blueprint for Pharmacy initiative, led by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), has incorporated pharmacist specialization with its priority of education and continuing professional development since the Blueprint’s Vision for Pharmacy document was published in 2008. The most recent Blueprint undertaking around specialization involved contracting Intergage Consulting Group Inc. through a Request for Proposals process in 2014 to conduct a needs assessment of pharmacist specialization in Canada. The research included a literature and high-level jurisdictional review, interview consultations with key stakeholders, a national survey of pharmacists and pharmacist employers, and 2 roundtable consultations with thought-leaders and stakeholders. The purpose of the research was to obtain a current profile of the level of need, demand and feasibility of introducing a formal specialty certification and/or recognition process to Canada. The final report can be accessed at www.blueprintforpharmacy.ca.4

Improving Pharmacist Knowledge of Oral Chemotherapy in the Community

Approximately 10% of chemotherapy agents are administered orally, with anticipated annual growth of this practice. In the future, community pharmacy practitioners will potentially serve a larger role in the management of patients with cancer. To improve pharmacist confidence, knowledge of oral chemotherapy agents, and dispensing behaviors through live continuing pharmacy education (CPE) programs. A prospective cohort study of pharmacists attending live CPE programs in Rhode Island and Maine was conducted between March and May 2010. A survey was administered before and after the educational program; primary outcome measures included change in level of pharmacist confidence in oral chemotherapy knowledge, overall knowledge, and willingness to adjust behavior when dispensing oral chemotherapy agents in community pharmacy. Two hundred fifty-seven of the 410 pharmacists in attendance participated in the survey. Pharmacists significantly improved in confidence level, from no confidence to some confidence (p < 0.001). Counseling the family on the safe handling of oral chemotherapy increased from 37.1% pre-CPE program to 100% post-CPE program. Following the CPE program, behaviors such as (1) using a separate counting tray, (2) wearing gloves, and (3) requiring a double-check improved from 22.5%, 31.5%, and 29.4% baseline to 92.0%, 81.3%, and 81.8%, respectively. All responses to knowledge-based questions improved significantly. A live CPE program on oral chemotherapy designed to improve pharmacist confidence and knowledge, as well as inform about behaviors, is an effective method. Additional education to improve the knowledge of community-based practitioners to safely dispense and properly counsel patients receiving oral chemotherapy is required.

Look-alike and sound-alike medicines: risks and ‘solutions’

'Look-alike, sound-alike' medicines are associated with dispensing errors. This commentary aims to fuel discussion surrounding how drug name nomenclature and similar packaging between medicines can lead to selection errors, the need for enhanced approval systems for medicine names and packaging, and best practice 'solutions'. The literature reveals a number of environmental risks and human factors that can contribute to such errors. To contextualise these risks, we interviewed 13 quality and safety experts, psycholinguists, and hospital and community pharmacy practitioners in Australia, and commissioned a medical software industry expert to conceptualise electronic initiatives. Environmental factors contributing to such errors, identified through both the literature and interviews, include distractions during dispensing; workflow controls should minimise the 'human factors' element of errors. Technological solutions with some support, and yet recognised limitations, include font variations, automated alerts, barcode scanning and real-time reporting programmed into dispensing software; further development of these initiatives is recommended.

"Until they know how much you care": A qualitative analysis of an innovative practice in community pharmacy

Purpose: This qualitative study was concerned with investigating community pharmacists' thoughts on the use of two brief scales to measure patient outcomes and therapeutic alliance in the context of their Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. The scales were originally developed for use in behavioral healthcare, but were used in a novel (community pharmacy) setting as part of a previous parent study. We describe this practice (using these scales in a novel setting) as an innovative practice, report on the pharmacists' experiences with the practice, and discuss relative advantages and disadvantages for integrating the use of the scales as part of routine practice.&#x0D; Methods: Six community pharmacy practitioners participated in a semi-structured interview pertaining to the use of the scales in their MTM services. Pharmacist interviews were transcribed, analyzed according to qualitative content analysis methodology, and presented in relation to the guiding interview questions.&#x0D; Results: Pharmacists had varying opinions on the use of the scales as part of their practice. Initial concerns included patient (mis)understanding about the purpose and proper completion of the scales, as well as apprehension about the use of the information. These concerns were largely resolved through education, repeated use, and routinization. Pharmacists, in general, saw a value to using these scales in clinical practice, for clinical and professional reasons, although there was variability on the degree to which pharmacists integrated the scales into practice after the study completion. Pharmacists had varied opinions as well as on the degree to which the use of the scales would impact medication adherence. Pharmacists were most surprised by how much participation in this study prompted them to reflect on their interactions with patients.&#x0D; Conclusions: Pharmacists, in general, were receptive to participating in the parent study and using two brief scales to measure patient outcomes and therapeutic alliance. Pharmacists had varying opinions on the degree to which the use of these scales could impact patient medication adherence, although they perceived other value and benefits secondary to the interactions. While most pharmacists did not maintain formal use of the scales after study end, they took away general principles of patient-centered care and individualized feedback.&#x0D; &#x0D; Type: Original Research

Community Pharmacy Incident Reporting: A New Tool for Community Pharmacies in Canada

Incident reporting offers insight into a variety of intricate processes in healthcare. However, it has been found that medication incidents are under reported in the community pharmacy setting. The Community Pharmacy Incident Reporting (CPhIR) program was created by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada specifically for incident reporting in the community pharmacy setting in Canada. The initial development of key elements for CPhIR included several focus-group teleconferences with pharmacists from Ontario and Nova Scotia. Throughout the development and release of the CPhIR pilot, feedback from pharmacists and pharmacy technicians was constantly incorporated into the reporting program. After several rounds of iterative feedback, testing and consultation with community pharmacy practitioners, a final version of the CPhIR program, together with self-directed training materials, is now ready to launch. The CPhIR program provides users with a one-stop platform to report and record medication incidents, export data for customized analysis and view comparisons of individual and aggregate data. These unique functions allow for a detailed analysis of underlying contributing factors in medication incidents. A communication piece for pharmacies to share their experiences is in the process of development. To ensure the success of the CPhIR program, a patient safety culture must be established. By gaining a deeper understanding of possible causes of medication incidents, community pharmacies can implement system-based strategies for quality improvement and to prevent potential errors from occurring again in the future. This article highlights key features of the CPhIR program that will assist community pharmacies to improve their drug distribution system and, ultimately, enhance patient safety.

Independent community pharmacists' perspectives on compounding in contemporary pharmacy education.

To identify compounding practices of independent community pharmacy practitioners in order to make recommendations for the development of curricular objectives for doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs. Independent community practitioners were asked about compounding regarding their motivations, common activities, educational exposures, and recommendations for PharmD education. Most respondents (69%) accepted compounding as a component of pharmaceutical care and compounded dermatological preparations for local effects, oral solutions, and suspensions at least once a week. Ninety-five percent were exposed to compounding in required pharmacy school courses and most (98%) who identified compounding as a professional service offered in their pharmacy sought additional postgraduate compounding education. Regardless of the extent of compounding emphasis in the practices surveyed, 84% stated that PharmD curricula should include compounding. Pharmacy schools should define compounding curricular objectives and develop compounding abilities in a required laboratory course to prepare graduates for pharmaceutical care practice.

The Need to Invest in Community Pharmacy Practice

The Need to Invest in Community Pharmacy Practice