Independent Community Pharmacists Research Articles

"It was a good opportunity for us to be in touch with public health": Independent community pharmacists' experiences working with public health before and during COVID-19.

Pharmacies have been a significant part of improving population health since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the working relationships between pharmacies and public health entities. This exploratory study describes independent community pharmacists' perceptions during COVID-19 of both pre-existing and newly created relationships with public health. This paper is based on 42 qualitative interviews conducted as part of a broader study on North Dakota pharmacy's role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Authors analyzed interview data both deductively (based on a priori interview questions) and inductively (based on emergent themes). We used key quotes to map working relationships between pharmacy and public health on two axes: personal interactions and service provision. Interviewees worked at 42 pharmacies (21 urban and 21 rural) and described relationships with public health entities that fell into four categories: (i) service provision with personal interactions predating the pandemic; (ii) service provision without personal interactions predating the pandemic; (iii) personal interactions that evolved during the pandemic; and (iv) service provision that evolved during the pandemic. Rural pharmacists described personal interactions and pre-pandemic service provision more often than urban pharmacists. Most urban pharmacists developed working relationships with public health entities solely because of the pandemic. This study begins mapping the range of relationships that can exist between community pharmacies and public health entities. Our data suggest it may be possible to leverage pharmacists to extend public health's reach and improve the health of medically underserved, rural populations.

Survey of Georgia community pharmacists’ needs to engage in advanced community pharmacy services

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists improve health, reduce fragmentation in care, lower health costs, and improve health outcomes. In Georgia, pharmacists are able to enter collaborative drug therapy management protocols, such as hypertension management, with a collaborating physician, which may allow pharmacists to provide advanced community pharmacy services (ACPS), however few Georgia pharmacists have this licensure. No program(s) exist that empower pharmacists to successfully engage in ACPS across the state of Georgia nor trains pharmacists to successfully engage in collaborative practice. ObjectiveThe goal of this project was to explore community pharmacists’ perception, confidence, and engagement in ACPS and how this can improve access to care in Georgia. MethodsSix hundred one independent community pharmacists were sent an electronic survey May 13, 2022, with weekly email reminders through June 17, 2022. Results were analyzed with the independent sample t test. Thematic analysis was completed on open response survey questions. ResultsNinety responses were received (15% response rate). In the majority of survey outcomes, no differences were found in needs for success between rural versus urban pharmacists. Pharmacies with a smaller technician-to-pharmacists ≤2 (staffing) ratios identified billing for services as a higher priority need for success for them to confidently engage in ACPS (P = 0.012) while pharmacies with a higher technician-to-pharmacists >2 (staffing) ratio agreed a larger need was in optimization of current workflow to allow for advanced community pharmacy service incorporation (P = 0.034). All community pharmacists agreed they would require expansion in staffing and the qualities desired for additional hires to support ACPS include ambition, proficiency, and communication skills. ConclusionNumerous needs for success exist for community pharmacists to feel comfortable and confident to engage in ACPS. Addressing these needs may increase community pharmacist impact through increasing utilization of these services.

Are pharmacists on the front lines of the opioid epidemic? A cross-sectional study of the practices and competencies of community and hospital pharmacists in Punjab, Pakistan

IntroductionCountries are grappling with a rapidly worsening upsurge in the opioid-related overdose deaths, misuse and abuse. There is a dearth of data in Pakistan regarding the practices and competencies of...

Community Champions: The Crucial Contribution of an Independent Pharmacy in COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts in an Underserved Community.

Historically, pharmacists in independent community pharmacies have been pivotal in promoting community health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they demonstrated their commitment by advocating for vaccination and providing accessible care, particularly in underserved communities. By addressing disparities, implementing strategies like mobile clinics and community outreach, and fostering trust and engagement, independent community pharmacists played a crucial role in bridging gaps in healthcare access for vulnerable populations and mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Independent community pharmacists’ attitudes and intentions toward dispensing buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder

BackgroundBuprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) for opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with positive health outcomes; however, challenges accessing prescribed BUP/NX at community pharmacies have been identified. ObjectiveThe theory of planned behavior was applied to determine whether independent community pharmacists’ attitudes toward dispensing BUP/NX for OUD predict intentions to dispense. MethodsA 40-item survey was administered to 185 Texas Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network pharmacists. The survey assessed intentions to dispense BUP/NX (3 items), attitudes toward BUP/NX (24 items), current barriers to dispensing BUP/NX (2 items), and demographics (10 items). Inferential statistics determined associations among pharmacists’ attitudes, practice setting characteristics, and intentions to dispense BUP/NX. Regression analysis determined whether attitude predicted intention to dispense BUP/NX, controlling for practice setting and demographic characteristics. ResultsResponses were obtained from 82 community independent pharmacists (response rate = 44%). Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic white (45.8%) and women (56.6%) and practiced in pharmacies with an average 1129.1 (± 1034.5) dispensed prescriptions/week. Pharmacists had positive intentions (6.2 ± 3.5) and attitudes (14.4 ± 24.9) toward dispensing BUP/NX and attitudes did not predict intentions to dispense (P = 0.330). Positive drivers of attitude were related to improving patient outcomes, fulfilling a community need, and absence of conflicts with pharmacists’ personal and religious beliefs. A negative driver of attitude was financial reimbursement/loss. Pharmacists dispensing 2000 or more prescriptions/week had higher intentions (b = 3.22, P = 0.014) to dispense than those dispensing less than 500 prescriptions/week. The most common barrier to dispense BUP/NX was “refill was too soon” (54.8%). ConclusionCommunity independent pharmacists had positive attitudes toward and intentions of dispensing BUP/NX for OUD. However, attitudes did not predict intentions to dispense. Negative drivers of attitudes were related to factors not within pharmacists’ control, such as time to refill or financial reimbursement.Future studies focused on community pharmacy-based access to BUP/NX are warranted to elucidate issues that are impactful in improving pharmacists’ dispensing intentions and behavior.

Preparedness for a pandemic: Independent community pharmacists’ experiences delivering COVID-19 vaccines

ObjectiveTo identify the experiences and preparedness for independent community pharmacies to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. DesignA mixed-methods study collected quantitative and qualitative data. Setting and participants: Every independent community pharmacy providing COVID-19 vaccines in North Dakota. Outcome measuresDuring state-required site visits, quantitative data determined by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)–developed reviewer guide were collected on each pharmacy’s preparedness on vaccine provision and quality assurance to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Qualitative data to describe the lived experiences of pharmacists were collected through site visit documentation and semistructured interviews with participating pharmacists. ResultsFifty-two pharmacies received site visits. All visited pharmacies met full compliance with CDC’s reviewer guide for billing and documentation of vaccine, vaccine procedures, recipient communication, and handling of ancillary supplies. Pharmacies varied in their compliance of vaccine storage and handling requirements. Forty-three interviews yielded 4 main themes about pharmacies’ role in vaccination during the pandemic: (1) professional role, (2) accessibility, (3) patient relations, and (4) community role. ConclusionSite visits demonstrated that independent community pharmacies were prepared to provide COVID-19 vaccines in response to public need, despite varying degrees of experience with and provision of routine immunizations. Interviews revealed that pharmacists recognized their important contribution to COVID-19 vaccine provision efforts.

Evaluating the feasibility of pharmacist-facilitated tobacco cessation interventions in independent community pharmacies in rural Appalachia

BackgroundSmoking rates in the United States are the highest in underserved rural regions. Thus, more points of contact are needed to link smokers to evidence-based cessation programs. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and interest among rural pharmacists in implementing a pharmacist-facilitated smoking cessation program in independent community pharmacies in rural Appalachian communities in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. MethodsThis study utilized a complementary sequential mixed-methods approach to explore independent community pharmacists and technicians’ experiences and beliefs about implementing a tobacco cessation program in their pharmacy. ResultsThere were 49 pharmacists or technicians who completed the survey and 7 pharmacists who participated in the interviews. Four main findings emerged from the data: 1) pharmacies can help fill the gap in tobacco cessation services in rural communities, 2) under current practice, tobacco cessation resources when offered by independent community pharmacies are not always formalized, 3) there are known barriers, such as reimbursing for services, that need to be addressed to provide tobacco cessation in an independent pharmacy setting, and 4) the Ask-Advise-Connect model is a feasible tobacco cessation approach in a pharmacy. ConclusionAlthough pharmacists may be ideally situated to build capacity for smoking cessation in rural areas, smoking cessation interventions need to use existing approaches that compensate pharmacists for their time spent counseling patients. Furthermore, simple documentation and billing systems are needed to maximize utilization of tobacco cessation products and services provided in the pharmacy.

COVID-19 pandemic vaccination preparedness strategies for independent community pharmacies

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine independent community pharmacist preparedness for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and to identify strategies for COVID-19 pandemic vaccination implementation in Pennsylvania. MethodsThis study used a complementary mixed-methods approach to recruit independent community pharmacists to participate in an electronic survey and 2 virtually conducted focus groups before the availability of the first COVID-19 vaccine. Information was gathered and compiled into 5 topic areas: (1) workflow, (2) resources, (3) staff and patient safety, (4) communication, and (5) documentation and training. Data collection occurred between October and December 2020. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Focus group discussions were audiorecorded and transcribed. A directed, content analysis was conducted to identify strategies for each topic area, and supporting quotes were selected. ResultsA total of 88 and 11 independent community pharmacists participated in the survey and focus groups, respectively. Because of the small size of most independent pharmacies, participants recommended working with community partners to support off-site mass vaccination clinics. Leveraging partnerships with community organizations and universities could be used to support staffing for vaccination efforts. Using an appointment-based immunization model was identified as one tool to optimize patient and staff safety during the pandemic. Pharmacists suggested using existing scheduling tools and text messaging and automated phone calls for second-dose reminders. Finally, independent pharmacists recommended further training and process improvements to support vaccine documentation and transmission to the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System. ConclusionRecommendations from this study were used to support planning and preparation for COVID-19 vaccinations across Pennsylvania. Incorporation of pharmacists’ ideas and recommendations on pandemic vaccination implementation is an important strategy to efficiently expand vaccination administration during pandemics.

Independent community pharmacies’ provision of enhanced services: A mixed methods approach

BackgroundThe pharmacy profession continues to broaden toward a patient-centered care practice. Pharmacy members of formal enhanced services networks are embracing this practice. However, descriptions of how pharmacies adopt a patient-centered care practice by providing enhanced services are not widely known. ObjectivesTo explore the pharmacy services of Nebraska independent community pharmacists within the context of the pharmacy profession’s transition toward patient-centered care and determine if pharmacy participation in a formal enhanced pharmacy services network is associated with the provision of enhanced services. MethodsA mixed methods approach was used by first conducting a cross-sectional quantitative survey, followed by a small qualitative study to further explain the survey findings. The survey of 193 Nebraska independent community pharmacies included members and nonmembers of the Nebraska Enhanced Services Pharmacies (NESP) network. Data were collected on the enhanced services offered. Survey analyses used descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data on reasons for offering enhanced services and their profitability were subsequently collected using a focus group of 3 independent community pharmacy owners. The interview transcript analysis used coding to generate major themes. ResultsThe survey response rate was 59%. Across all respondents, the average number of enhanced services offered was 17.3 out of 47 services studied. NESP members provided more enhanced services (x¯ = 20) than non-NESP members (x¯ = 16), P = 0.003. NESP membership was associated with the opinion that offering enhanced services increases profits, P = 0.016. The major themes were “NESP members have always been taking care of people” and “Profitability from enhanced services is key for sustainability of independent community pharmacies.” ConclusionIndependent community pharmacies provide a range of enhanced services. NESP members provided more enhanced services than non-NESP members and focused on taking care of people by providing enhanced services. NESP membership may provide opportunities for pharmacies to offer more enhanced services to patients with the intent to improve patient-centered care.

Independent Community Pharmacists' Experience in Offering Pharmacogenetic Testing.

ObjectiveThis study assessed pharmacist experiences with delivering pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing in independent community pharmacies.MethodsWe conducted a cluster randomized trial of independent community pharmacies in North Carolina randomized to provide either PGx testing as a standalone service or integrated into medication therapy management (MTM) services. Surveys and pharmacist data about the delivery of PGx testing were collected. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted.ResultsA total of 36 pharmacists participated in the study from 22 pharmacies. Sixteen pharmacists completed the pre-study and post-study surveys, and four pharmacists completed the semi-structured interviews. Thirty-one percent (11/36) of pharmacists had had some education in personalized medicine or PGx prior to the study. The only outcome that differed by study arm was the use of educational resources, with significantly higher utilization in the PGx testing only arm (p=0.007). Overall, compared to the pre-study assessment, pharmacists’ knowledge about PGx significantly improved post-study (p=0.018). In the post-study survey, almost all pharmacists indicated that they felt qualified/able to provide PGx testing at their pharmacy. While 75% of pharmacists indicated that they may continue to provide PGx testing at their pharmacy after the study, the major concerns were lack of reimbursement for PGx counseling and consultation given the necessary time required.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated a positive experience with delivering PGx testing in the community pharmacy setting with little difference in pharmacists’ experiences in providing PGx testing with or without MTM. Pharmacists were confident in their ability to provide PGx testing and were interested in continuing to offer testing, though sustained delivery may be challenged by lack of prescribing provider engagement and reimbursement.

Perceived Roles of Independent Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in Patient Referrals to Community Resources: A Study from the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet).

Referrals to community resources represent one element of the Chronic Care Model, however, little is known about the perceived role of community pharmacy staff in referring patients to community resources. The objective of this study was to describe community pharmacists', community pharmacy technicians', and patients' perceptions of pharmacist referrals to community resources. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and patients from community pharmacies that are members of the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet). Qualitative analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes. A total of 37 participants, including six community pharmacists, one pharmacy student completing an advanced pharmacy practice experience, 15 community pharmacy technicians, and 15 patients across four independently-owned community pharmacies were interviewed. Themes included: 1) Need to build on a foundation of strong patient-community pharmacist relationships to clearly define the pharmacist's role in referrals, 2) Need to improve familiarity with community resources, 3) Need to clearly delineate and support the role for pharmacy technicians in making referrals, and 4) Need to follow-up on referrals. To enhance community pharmacy staff provision of referrals to community resources, interventions are needed to improve patient and pharmacist familiarity with available resources, patients' perception of the pharmacist's role outside of prescription fulfillment, and follow-up on referrals. Moreover, pharmacy technician education and training could be expanded to optimize their role in supporting community pharmacists in making referrals.

Supporting respiratory patients in primary care: a qualitative insight from independent community pharmacists in London

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists’ (CPs’) interventions have a positive impact on managing respiratory patients. However, methods used by CPs to assess patients’ inhaler technique and adherence are subjective. New technologies to objectively assess inhaler technique and adherence were introduced to address such a gap. This study aimed to explore CPs’ perceptions towards the management of respiratory patients regarding inhaler technique and adherence. In addition, it explored the views of CPs and their need of technologies to objectively assess inhaler technique and adherence. CPs were probed with a new technology called Inhaler Compliance Assessment (INCA) device, designed to objectively monitor both inhaler technique and adherence of patients using a dry powder inhaler, as an example.MethodsA qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews was conducted. A convenience and snowballing sampling strategy was employed to recruit CPs working in independent community pharmacies within West and South London. Twenty-three pharmacists were interviewed between August and November 2015. Data was analysed thematically using the framework methodology and coded using NVivo10 software.ResultsAnalysis revealed five main themes: services and limitations of patient support, the need and acceptability of new technologies to support respiratory patients, fragmented primary care, the need to promote the clinical role of CPs, and professional identity. Patient support was patchy and affected by several barriers related to pharmacists and patients. In addition, lack of communications with different healthcare professionals in primary care and inaccessibility to clinical records were identified as problematic issues. Some CPs perceived their clinical role to be lacking within the patient care pathway. Interestingly, CPs showed positive a attitude towards the use of technologies, such as the INCA technology to support patients and were willing to provide new services. However, remuneration appeared to be a major driver for willingness to offer new services or promote existing services.ConclusionThe current study highlighted some measures that can augment CPs’ clinical practice while managing patients, such as having accessibility to patients’ medical records and the use of technologies such as the INCA technology to promote objective counselling of patients.

Pharmacists\u2019 role in harm reduction: a survey assessment of Kentucky community pharmacists\u2019 willingness to participate in syringe/needle exchange

BackgroundPharmacists’ role in harm reduction is expanding in many states, yet there are limited data on pharmacists’ willingness to participate in harm reduction activities. This study assessed community pharmacists’ willingness to participate in one harm reduction initiative: syringe/needle exchange.MethodsIn 2015, all Kentucky pharmacists with active licenses were emailed a survey that examined attitudes towards participation in syringe/needle exchange. Response frequencies were calculated for community pharmacist respondents. Ordinal logistic regression estimated the impact of community pharmacist characteristics and attitudes on willingness to provide clean needles/syringes to people who inject drugs and to dispose of used syringes/needles, where both dependent variables were defined as Likert-type questions on a scale of 1 (not at all willing) to 6 (very willing).ResultsOf 4699 practicing Kentucky pharmacists, 1282 pharmacists responded (response rate = 27.3%); the majority (n = 827) were community pharmacists. Community pharmacists were divided on willingness to provide clean needles/syringes, with 39.1% not willing (score 1 or 2 of 6) and 30% very willing (score 5 or 6 of 6). Few were willing to dispose of used needles/syringes, with only 18.7% willing. Community pharmacists who agreed that pharmacists could have significant public health impact by providing access to clean needles expressed 3.56 times more willingness to provide clean needles (95% CI 3.06–4.15), and 2.04 times more willingness to dispose of used needles (95% CI 1.77–2.35). Chain/supermarket pharmacists (n = 485, 58.6% of community pharmacies) were 39% less likely to express willingness to dispose of used needles (95% CI 0.43–0.87) when compared with independent community pharmacists (n = 342, 41.4% of community pharmacies). Independent pharmacists reported different barriers (workflow) than their chain/supermarket pharmacist colleagues (concerns of clientele).ConclusionsKentucky community pharmacists were more willing to provide clean needles than to dispose of used needles. Strategies to mitigate barriers to participation in syringe/needle exchange are warranted.

Assessment of pharmacists' delivery of public health services in rural and urban areas in Iowa and North Dakota.

Background:The profession of pharmacy is expanding its involvement in public health, but few studies have examined pharmacists’ delivery of public health services.Objective:To assess Iowa and North Dakota pharmacists’ practices, frequency of public health service delivery, level of involvement in achieving the essential services of public health, and barriers to expansion of public health services in rural and urban areas.Methods:This study implemented an on-line survey sent to all pharmacists currently practicing pharmacy in Iowa and North Dakota.Results:Overall, 602 valid responses were analyzed, 297 in rural areas and 305 in urban areas. Three practice settings (chain stores [169, 28.2%], independent community pharmacies [162, 27.0%], and hospital pharmacies [156, 26.0%]) comprised 81.2% of the sample. Both chain and independent community pharmacists were more commonly located in rural areas than in urban areas (P<0.05). For some public health services, pharmacists in rural areas reported higher frequency of delivery than did pharmacists in urban areas (P < .05) that included: medication therapy management, immunizations, tobacco counseling, and medication take-back programs. For some essential services, pharmacists (particularly independents) in rural areas reported more frequent delivery than did pharmacists in urban areas (P < .05), these included: evaluate the services the pharmacy provides, partner with the community to identify and help solve health problems, and conduct needs assessments to identify health risks in my community.Conclusion:Rural pharmacists more frequently deliver public health services than urban in both Iowa and North Dakota. These findings should be interpreted to be primarily due to differences in the role of the rural pharmacist and the quest for certain opportunities that rural pharmacists are seeking.

Determination of risk factors for drug-related problems: a multidisciplinary triangulation process

Introduction and objectivesDrug-related problems (DRPs) constitute a frequent safety issue among hospitalised patients leading to patient harm and increased healthcare costs. Because many DRPs are preventable, the specific risk factors...

Stress and job satisfaction among pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The aim of the study was to measure job satisfaction and stress levels among pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to explore the main causes of dissatisfaction and stress-related factors. Materials and Methods: A self-administered survey was hand-distributed using a cluster area sampling technique. Data were entered into a statistical analysis system database with a significance level of P Results: The setting of a pharmacy was found to significantly affect the job satisfaction of pharmacists. 48% of independent community pharmacists were satisfied with their job compared with 62% of dispensary pharmacists and 74% of chain community pharmacists. Marital status and years of experience significantly affected job satisfaction, and married pharmacists had lower levels of satisfaction than their unmarried counterparts. Pharmacists who dispensed a higher number of prescriptions had higher levels of satisfaction. Furthermore, job-related stress factors, such as the setting of the pharmacy and years of experience, had a significant effect on the stress level related to the responsibility of patient care. Participants also reported other job stressors: Long working hours, difficulty in obtaining casual or sick leave, and low salaries. Conclusion: Independent community pharmacists in Riyadh had lower levels of job satisfaction than their counterparts in dispensaries and chain pharmacies. Primarily, efforts should be made to raise the levels of job satisfaction for pharmacists in order to improve their motivation and competence. Failure to reduce stress among workers puts both pharmacists and patients at risk.

Identifying Community Pharmacists' Readiness to Participate in Transitions of Care

Objective: To determine the readiness of community pharmacists to participate in transitions of care and to identify barriers related to participation.&#x0D; Methods: A questionnaire was developed to identify community pharmacists’ willingness, attitudes, and barriers to participating in transitions of care programs. The questionnaire was piloted with community pharmacists prior to implementation. The questionnaire was distributed to a population of chain, supermarket/grocery, and independent community pharmacists (n=200). Descriptive statistics, correlations, and chi square tests were used to analyze demographic trends and final results.&#x0D; Results: Of the 200 questionnaires distributed, 147 pharmacists responded (73.5%). Community pharmacists agreed transitions of care services have the potential to improve patients’ understanding of medications (97.3%), decrease medication-related errors (95.9%), and enhance relationships with patients (96.6%). The largest pharmacist perceived barriers included time (69.7%), communication/lack of patient data (14.6%), and lack of physician acceptance (6.7%). Of the respondents who indicated time as the greatest barrier to participation, 76.9% of pharmacists were still willing to participate in transitions of care given the opportunity. Willingness to participate in transitions of care did not differ by gender (p=0.139), years in practice (p=0.133), or degree of education (p=0.382).&#x0D; Conclusion: Community pharmacists are in a unique position to widely impact patient health outcomes and decrease hospital readmission rates through improved care coordination. This research demonstrates community pharmacists’ readiness and willingness to participate in transitions of care. Awareness of perceived barriers can allow stakeholders to address these areas when designing and implementing transitions of care programs with pharmacists.&#x0D; &#x0D; Type: Original Research

Implementation of personalized medicine services in community pharmacies: Perceptions of independent community pharmacists

ObjectivesTo evaluate the perceptions of independent community pharmacists within a regional independent community pharmacy cooperative on implementing personalized medicine services at their pharmacies and to gauge the pharmacists’ self-reported knowledge of pharmacogenomic principles. DesignDescriptive, exploratory, nonexperimental study. SettingAmerican Pharmacy Services Corporation (APSC), 2011–12. ParticipantsPharmacists (n = 101) affiliated with the independent pharmacies of APSC. InterventionSingle-mode survey. Main outcome measuresIndependent community pharmacists’ interest in implementing personalized medicine services, perceived readiness to provide such services, and perceived barriers to implementation. Results101 completed surveys were returned for data analysis. The majority of pharmacists surveyed (75%) expressed interest in offering personalized medicine services. When asked to describe their knowledge of pharmacogenomics and readiness to implement such services, more than 50% said they were not knowledgeable on the subject and would not currently be comfortable making drug therapy recommendations to physicians or confident counseling patients based on results of genetic screenings without further training and education. Respondents identified cost of providing the service, reimbursement issues, current knowledge of pharmacogenomics, and time to devote to the program as the greatest barriers to implementing personalized medicine services. ConclusionThe majority of independent community pharmacists are interested in incorporating personalized medicine services into their practices, but they require further education before this is possible. Future initiatives should focus on the development of comprehensive education programs to further train pharmacists for provision of these services.

Community pharmacists, Internet and social media: An empirical investigation

Use of social media and Internet for health information sharing is expanding among patients, physicians, and other health care professionals. Research on professional use of social media by community pharmacists is limited. 1) To determine the extent to which Texas (U.S. state) independent community pharmacists use text messaging, email, Facebook, Twitter, and/or other information technology for professional communication with patients and health care professionals and identify the perceptions of Texas independent community pharmacists toward such usage; 2) to determine the extent to which Texas independent community pharmacists develop and employ their pharmacy websites to provide drug information and patient care services. A 25-item survey with questions addressing the objectives of the study as well as basic demographic questions (gender, age, and type of pharmacy degree) was mailed to a random sample of 1196 independent community pharmacists in Texas in January2012. The study response rate was 23.7%, with 284 usable questionnaires returned. The majority of respondents reported that Internet access is available at their pharmacies (98% (278)), and 91% (258) are familiar with the term 'social media'. To communicate with health care professionals, 56% (n=160) of respondents use email, 34% (n=97) use text messages and 5% (n=14) use Facebook. To communicate with patients, 36% (n=102) of respondents use email, 30% (n=86) use text messages and 7% (n=19) use Facebook. The perceptions of pharmacists who communicate with patients using electronic tools about information related to drug therapy once a month or more frequently were more positive than those of pharmacists who never or hardly ever communicate with patients via electronic tools about drug therapy (P<0.05). Over 50% of independent pharmacists reported maintaining a pharmacy website. This study is the first U.S. statewide assessment of the use of electronic communication and social media for professional pharmacist's communications and perceptions toward the use of social media in patient-pharmacist communications among independent community pharmacists in Texas. Future studies conducted in other states as well as nationwide will contribute to a better understanding of the use of electronic communication, Internet, and social media in the daily professional activities of independent community pharmacists.

Pharmacy groups speak at House caucus briefing

Provider status for pharmacists, legislation on medication therapy management (MTM), and a care transitions initiative were among the topics of a briefi ng hosted by the Congressional Community Pharmacy Caucus on June 6 in Room 122 of the Cannon House Offi ce Building in Washington, DC. Pharmacists’ patient care services are “a very smart spend in Washington that pays off in a big way,” Jonathan G. Marquess, PharmD, CDE, CPT, a member of the APhA Board of Trustees, said at the briefi ng as part of his example of an elevator speech for provider status. “Patients need to have access to pharmacists’ services both on the federal and the state levels but also within