Majority Of Pharmacists Research Articles

Australian Pharmacists' understanding of their Continuing Professional Development Obligations

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdoption of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists in Australia is relatively new. Difficulties have been reported with the introduction of CPD frameworks in other countries. There is limited information on how Australian pharmacists have engaged with the CPD requirements for registration.AimTo explore Australian pharmacists' understanding and engagement with the CPD requirements for renewal of registration.MethodThe Pharmacy Board of Australia's CPD requirements for registration was used to design an online survey to explore the level of understanding and engagement Australian pharmacists have with the CPD framework.Results278 pharmacists responded to the survey − 66% were female, 30% were male and 4% did not disclose their gender. 63% of respondents noted that it would not be difficult to acquire 40 CPD credits annually. Respondents identified that Group 1 activities were a preferred way of acquiring CPD credits. Majority of pharmacists (91%) believed that they knew the CPD requirements for registration and 77% noted that there had been sufficient guidance provided. Despite this, 26% of participants had never used self‐directed learning plans and 38% did not know how to undertake self‐directed learning. 76% of participants were under the common misconception that CPD is synonymous with continuing education.ConclusionThe majority of pharmacists believe they understand and can engage in the acquisition of CPD credits for renewal of registration. Some aspects of the CPD framework was not understood, such as how it aims to develop a pharmacist's practice. This aspect of the CPD framework will need to be further developed.

Theoretical exploration of Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever abuse communication

Community pharmacists are a key intervention point in efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of prescription drug abuse and misuse (PDA/M); yet pharmacists' perceptions regarding PDA/M have been explored only briefly in the literature. 1) To explore Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever (OPR) prescribing, dispensing and abuse; 2) to explore community pharmacists' self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M-specific communication; and 3) to evaluate perceived barriers to engaging patients in PDA/M-specific communication. A 55-item survey instrument was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) as a theoretical framework. Questionnaires were mailed to a stratified sample of 2000 licensed Tennessee pharmacists using the Tailored Design Method of survey administration during October and November,2012. A response rate of 40% was obtained. A majority of pharmacists (87.5%) perceived OPR abuse to be a problem in their practice settings. On average, a little more than half (53%) of prescriptions issued for OPRs were estimated to be for patients with one or more legitimate medical reasons justifying the medication(s). A small fraction of pharmacists (13%) reported having addiction treatment facility information in their practice settings, and only a small percent reported strong self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M patient communication. Job-related time constraints were perceived as the primary barrier to engaging in PDA/M communication. Community pharmacists in Tennessee are aware of PDA/M by patients receiving opioid prescriptions and value their role in communicating with these patients but indicate their ability to do so effectively is hindered by a lack of confidence, training, and time. Further research to identify and test methods for facilitating PDA/M communication by pharmacists is indicated.

Pharmacists’ attitudes and perceived barriers to provision of adherence support in Australia

Adherence to therapy is a key to achieving good clinical outcomes. Promoting medication adherence requires a range of strategies that primarily focus on fostering behavioral change. Community pharmacists are well placed to deliver adherence support to patients. To investigate community pharmacists' activities in supporting patient medication adherence in their practice; and to assess pharmacists' attitudes and barriers to adherence support. A sample of 500 pharmacies was randomly selected from a list of community pharmacies in the state of New South Wales (Australia) and mailed a questionnaire focusing on provision of adherence support, pharmacists' attitudes, and barriers to adherence support. Two follow-up reminders were sent to non-responding pharmacies after 2 and 6 weeks. A response rate of 27.6 % was achieved (n = 126), consistent with recent research studies. For less than half (42 %) of prescriptions dispensed, pharmacists reported providing strategies to identify non-adherent patients. Providing dose administration aids was the most common method to support adherence used by pharmacists (95 %). Most (98 %) agreed that it was their role to promote patients' adherence. However 64 and 52 % reported that patients' time pressures and poor health literacy, respectively, were the main barriers to provision of adherence support. Around 25 % of respondents reported that they had received training programs on providing medication adherence support. Community pharmacists employed a limited range of strategies to identify and address non-adherence to medications. Moreover, the provision of adherence support was episodic and infrequent. However, the majority of pharmacists believed that it is their role to promote patients adherence. Time pressures for both pharmacists and patients were perceived to be a major barrier.

The inclusion of a business management module within the master of pharmacy degree: a route to asset enrichment?

Over the past decade the profession of pharmacy has steadily evolved. The New Pharmacy Contract exposed pharmacists to a fundamental change in traditional pharmacy business models. This study will consider whether community pharmacists, pharmacy undergraduates and academic staff within the United Kingdom believe it would be beneficial to incorporate a business management module within the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) undergraduate degree along with potential mechanisms of delivery. Further to ethical approval, the questionnaire was distributed to UK registered pharmacists (n=600), MPharm undergraduates (n=441) and academic staff at Liverpool John Moores University (n=44). The questions were formatted as multiple choice questions, Likert scales or the open answer type. On questionnaire completion and return, data were analysed using simple frequencies, cross tabulations and non-parametric techniques in the SPSS (v18). The majority of pharmacists (84.9%) confirmed that business skills affect their everyday responsibilities to a considerable extent. A high proportion of undergraduate students (92.8%) believed that business management skills will impact on their future role. In total, 64.3% of this cohort declared that if a module were introduced they would study it. The majority of staff (79%) agreed that business skills are gaining increased importance within the field of pharmacy. Data suggest that business skills are of relevance to the practice of pharmacy. Appropriate staff to deliver the taught material would include business owners / lecturers and teaching practitioners covering topics including management, leadership, interpersonal skills and regulation. We suggest the inclusion of a business module with the MPharm degree would be of great value in preparing individuals for practice within a modern day healthcare setting.

Cooperation between community pharmacists and general practitioners in eastern Germany: attitudes and needs

Regions of decreasing medical supply with long distances to pharmacy or practice require a good collaboration between practitioners and pharmacists. To determine and compare the attitudes of community pharmacists and practitioners towards each other regarding collaboration. Setting Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany. 749 general practitioners and practitioners specialized in diabetes care as well as 344 community pharmacists received a 38-item survey regarding their interrelations and attitudes towards each other. Descriptive statistics of the practitioners' attitudes towards pharmacists in comparison to the pharmacists' attitudes towards practitioners in terms of perception of their role, reliability, functions, frequency and helpfulness of contact, cooperation in promoting medication adherence and quality of communication. Response rates were 19.4 % (n = 145) for practitioners and 24.4 % (n = 84) for pharmacists. 144 (76.6 %) of practitioners and 79 (71.5 %) of pharmacists strongly trusted the other health care providers' statements and expertise (p = 0.0076). Practitioner-pharmacist interactions on average were of low frequency. They were, however, perceived to be helpful. The majority of pharmacists (62.7 %) regard their responsibility to ensure adherence with long-term medication to be equal to that of general practitioners. In contrast, the vast majority of practitioners (90.1 %) estimated their proportion of responsibility for adherence to long-term medication to be 75 % or more. At the same time, practitioners perceived the pharmacists' current influence on patient adherence to long-term medication as generally positive (65.0 %). This is in line with the pharmacists' self-perception (94.7 %). The general trust of both health care providers towards each other is a good pre-condition for further collaborations. However, increased frequency in practitioner-pharmacist-interactions is necessary. Additionally, the role perceptions of pharmacists and practitioners should be harmonised as there are still misunderstandings in the responsibilities of both parties.

Drug Information Activity and Nonprescription Requests Over the Malaysian Counter.

Providing drug information has become one of the essential job functions of a community pharmacist. To ensure the availability of up-to-date information, pharmacists should have access to reliable drug information. The current study was an effort to explore the use of drug information resources at a community pharmacy in Penang Island, Malaysia. This study also explores nonprescription requests, with a special emphasis on pharmacists' agreement to dispense medicines without a prescription. A cross-sectional study was performed among the community pharmacists practicing in 3 populous areas of Penang Island. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a 24-item questionnaire. The response rate was 67.3%. Online drug information, compared with other resources, was preferred by a majority of pharmacists (n = 19, 51.4%). Of the pharmacists, 28 (75.7%) mentioned that patients often make a nonprescription drug request for anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, and medicines for cough and flu. In about 59.5% of the cases, pharmacists dispensed the requested medicine without question. Most of the pharmacists stated they have dispensed painkillers, creams and ointments, antifungals, body tonics, and inhalers without prescription.

Communication barriers in counselling foreign-language patients in public pharmacies: threats to patient safety?

Foreign-language (FL) patients are at increased risk for adverse drug events. Evidence regarding communication barriers and the safety of pharmaceutical care of FL patients in European countries is scarce despite large migrant populations. To investigate Swiss public pharmacists' experiences and current practices in counselling FL patients with a focus on patient safety. In a cross-sectional study heads of public pharmacies in Switzerland were surveyed using an electronic questionnaire. The survey assessed the frequency of communication barriers encountered in medication counselling of FL patients, perceptions of risks for adverse drug events, satisfaction with the quality of counselling provided to FL patients, current strategies to reduce risks, and preferences towards tools to improve safety for FL patients. 498 pharmacists completed the survey (43 % response rate). More than every second pharmacist reported at least weekly encounters at which they cannot provide good medication counselling to FL patients in the regional Swiss language. Ad-hoc interpreting by minors is also common at a considerable number of pharmacies (26.5 % reported at least one weekly occurrence). Approximately 10 % of pharmacies reported that they fail at least weekly to explain the essentials of drug therapy (e.g. dosing of children's medications) to FL patients. 79.8 % perceived the risk of FL patients for adverse drug events to be somewhat or much higher compared to other patients. 22.5 % of pharmacists reported being concerned at least monthly about medication safety when FL patients leave their pharmacy. However, the majority of pharmacists were satisfied with the quality of care provided to FL patients in their pharmacy [78.6 % (very) satisfied]. The main strategy used to improve counselling for FL patients was the employment of multilingual staff. Participants would use software for printing foreign-language labels (41.2 %) and multilingual package inserts (42.0 %) if these were available. Communication barriers with FL patients are frequent in Swiss pharmacies and pharmacists perceive FL patients to be at increased risk for adverse drug events. Development and dissemination of communication tools are needed to support pharmacists in counselling of a diverse migrant population.

Top 10 Ways We Use Our Smartphones

As you might expect, the vast majority of pharmacists are “packing” a smartphone. Most even sleep near their device (within about 3 feet). Gone are the days when a separate personal digital assistant (PDA) and a pager supplemented a clunky cell phone on our waists or in our purses. We are able to keep an information appliance on hand 24/7. In this installment, we discuss the ways we most commonly use our smartphones.

Management of Controlled Substances and Dependences by Pharmacists

Introduction: Substance abuse is more than a health problem; it is a formidable moral, social and economic challenge with pandemic dimensions. Palestine is not exception and it suffers of this problem, and the trend of use is increasing. Healthcare providers, primary care physicians, and pharmacists, as well as patients themselves and their families, all can play a role in identifying and preventing prescription drug abuse. Methodology: The study population included 205 of the public pharmacies in the Gaza Strip governorates. Data collection has been performed via interview questionnaire with the pharmacists working in the pharmacies. Study objectives: were oriented to identify and verify several variables and attributes affecting the existence of drug abuse including: study and analysis of the drug abuse situation in the Gaza Strip, knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacist. Results: The majority of pharmacists (90.2%) agree about existence of drug addiction as phenomenon in Gaza strip society and 32.2% of pharmacists believe that the physician, the pharmacist and the inspection department all of them share the responsibility towards drug abuse existence. Most of pharmacists believe that the increased anxiety and tension in the community is the most reason for this demand increase. About (50.2%) of pharmacists don’t believe that their colleagues dispense any of the controlled drugs without a doctor’s prescription. About (89.8%) of pharmacists are convinced of the need to a medical prescription to dispense any of the drugs listed in all cases, and of these 89.8% there are (84.8%) of pharmacists who don’t dispense any of these drugs to a person they doubt even if this person has a medical prescription, so the study show no significant relationship. Conclusion: the study showed that drug abuse is an existing phenomenon in the Gaza Strip lacking the suitable care and attention to reduce its spread and impact on society. There are similarities between female and male pharmacists in the Gaza Strip in knowledge but differences in practice and attitude. Recommendation: The physicians, pharmacists and inspection department, should assume their responsibilities towards drug abuse as being a shared responsibility to control the future of the entire community.

Assessment of controlled substances, dependence on them, and their management by pharmacists

Introduction Substance abuse is more than just a health problem; it is a formidable moral, social, and economic challenge of pandemic proportions. Palestine is not an exception to this problem, and the trend of use is increasing. Healthcare providers, primary care physicians, pharmacists, patients themselves, and their families, can all play a role in identifying and preventing prescription drug abuse. Methodology The study population included 205 public pharmacies distributed across the Gaza Strip governorates. Data was collected by means of an interview questionnaire administered to pharmacists working in the pharmacies. Study objectives The aim of the study was to identify and verify several variables and attributes affecting drug abuse, including the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacists, and to study and analyze the drug abuse situation in the Gaza Strip. Results The majority of pharmacists (90.2%) acknowledged drug addiction as an existing phenomenon in the Gaza Strip society, and 32.2% of pharmacists believed that the physician, the pharmacist, and the inspection department all shared the responsibility for its existence. Most pharmacists believed that the increased anxiety and tension in the community was the most common reason for this increase in demand for drugs. Approximately 50.2% of pharmacists did not believe that their colleagues dispensed any of the controlled drugs without a doctor’s prescription. Approximately 89.8% of pharmacists were convinced of the need for a medical prescription to dispense any of the drugs listed, and of these 89.8%, 84.8% did not dispense any of the controlled drugs to a person they suspected of being dependent on drugs, even if that person had a medical prescription. Hence, the study showed no significant relationship. Conclusion The study showed that drug abuse is an existing phenomenon in the Gaza Strip and there is a lack of attention to reduce its spread and impact on society. There are similarities between female and male pharmacists in the Gaza Strip with regard to knowledge about drug abuse; however, there are differences in practice and attitude among them. Recommendation Physicians, pharmacists, and the inspection department should assume their respective responsibilities toward prevention of drug abuse as a shared responsibility in order to ensure a safe future for the entire community.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Awareness of Community Pharmacists Towards the Use of Herbal Medicines in Muscat Region

This study aims to investigate the knowledge and attitudes among pharmacists in Oman towards the specific use and knowledge of herbal drugs. The study was conducted on 100 pharmacists employed in Oman. The data was collected using two self- administered questionnaire containing 7 and 11 closed ended questions in each, respectively. The mean age of pharmacists was 32.6 (SD=5.6) years. The majority of pharmacists were interested in herbal information and their herbal information mainly comes from their previous classes during college. Most of them have belief on the effectiveness of herbal products. Pharmacists were more knowledgeable on specific therapeutic indications of herbal products rather than on other areas such as drug- herb interaction or side effects. In summary, Pharmacists need to be informed on the therapeutic indications, drug interactions, dose, active constituent and precautions of herbal products. Concerned bodies must also provide them with regular continuing education programs apart from putting their effects to incorporate relevant topics in herbal medicine in pharmacy curriculum.

How we are progressing towards the goals of the manifesto

With the establishment of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) manifesto and Dr. Stimmel's vision, our members need to evaluate how we as a profession are progressing toward or away from the goals and mission statement of the manifesto. The manifesto correctly states that the public and most health care providers view pharmacists in a dispensing role. However, polling the CPNP Past Presidents' Council, the majority believe the manifesto will become obsolete and in need of revision in ten years. The ability to make the manifesto "obsolete" and "commonplace" rests on how our profession navigates the legislature that governs our laws and ability to provide favorable patient outcomes and expand our role within the health care team.

Attitudes of Florida pharmacists toward implementing a state prescription drug monitoring program for controlled substances.

As of May 23, 2011, 35 states had an operational prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), and 13 additional states, including Florida in 2009, had passed legislation to implement a PDMP. PDMPs, electronic databases that collect and track designated data on controlled substances and other commonly abused medications, are intended to serve as a tool for health care practitioners when prescribing and dispensing controlled substances to reduce drug abuse and diversion. In an analysis of 1,268 drug-caused deaths from January through June 2010 in Florida, the top 3 prescription drugs included the controlled substances oxycodone (56%), alprazolam (35%), and methadone (26%), all of which would be subject to reporting in Florida's PDMP when implemented. Because pharmacists are the health care professionals most affected by PDMP reporting requirements, evaluating their attitudes about PDMP implementation is important. To assess Florida pharmacists' attitudes toward implementing a PDMP in the state. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Florida between February 2010 and June 2010 prior to the implementation of the proposed PDMP. A random sample of 5,000 of approximately 26,000 pharmacists licensed in Florida was invited to participate in a voluntary and anonymous 10-question self-administered mail survey of which 4 survey items assessed pharmacists' attitudes towards implementing a PDMP in the state. Of the 5,000 pharmacists contacted by mail, 911 (18.2%) completed the survey, of whom 836 responded to the items assessing opinions about PDMPs and provided practice site information. A majority of pharmacists across all practice settings agreed or strongly agreed with the statements that a PDMP "should be implemented in Florida" (chain 84.0%, hospital 74.2%, independent 77.9%, and other 71.1%) and that a PDMP would decrease "the incidence of doctor shopping" if implemented (chain 80.8%, hospital 67.2%, independent 71.7%, and other 63.3%). A majority of pharmacists across all practice settings disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statements that they would be "discouraged to dispense controlled substances" by the PDMP (chain 61.4%, hospital 50.0%, independent 60.2%, and other 63.8%) and that PDMP implementation would be "an invasion of patients' privacy" (chain 80.3%, hospital 67.7%, independent 67.3%, and other 69.3%). In a small-sample survey, a majority of Florida pharmacists across all practice settings were in favor of implementing a PDMP in Florida. This is the first study to examine Florida pharmacists' attitudes toward PDMP implementation, and the results should prompt future analyses of relevant outcomes, such as drug abuse, drug-related mortality, and doctor shopping.

Mixed methods evaluation: Pharmacists’ experiences and beliefs toward an interactive communication approach to patient interactions

ObjectiveTo characterize pharmacists’ experience and explore their beliefs toward an interactive communication technique, the three prime questions (3PQs),where pharmacists ask about patients’ understanding of medication's purpose, directions, and monitoring. MethodsMixed method design. Pharmacists were briefly trained and then integrated the 3PQs into their practice for two weeks. Pharmacists recorded their perceptions of patient interactions, completed a survey addressing self-efficacy and role beliefs toward the 3PQs, and participated in a focus group. ResultsEleven pharmacists participated and the 3PQs were used with 176 patients. Most interactions were under 5min. Pharmacists reported that questions about directions and monitoring were most effective in gathering new information with refills whereas medication purpose question was preferred for new fills. The majority of pharmacists were certain they could use the 3PQs and agreed it was their role. Five themes arose from the qualitative analysis: established communication routines, enhanced patient–pharmacist relationships, good medication history, tailoring of the 3PQs, and impact of pharmacy organization. ConclusionThe 3PQs enabled pharmacists to briefly assess patient medication experiences and tailor education while fostering patient-centered relationships in pharmacy practice. Practice implicationsWhile the 3PQs may enhance pharmacists’ patient assessment; integration may challenge pharmacists’ work routine.

Texas pharmacists’ knowledge of reporting serious adverse drug events to the Food and Drug Administration

To assess Texas pharmacists' knowledge of adverse drug event (ADE) reporting to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to determine demographic and practice characteristics associated with this knowledge. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Austin, TX, in June and July 2009. 377 pharmacists practicing in hospital and community settings. Survey instrument mailed to participants. Scores on an eight-item test were used to assess pharmacists' knowledge about ADE reporting to FDA. Pharmacists' demographic and practice characteristics, as well as past reporting, were also measured. 1,500 surveys were mailed and 377 usable responses were obtained (26.4% response rate). Most (67.9%) pharmacists had never reported ADEs to FDA. A majority of pharmacists (65.7%) reported having inadequate knowledge about ADE reporting. Pharmacists had low knowledge scores on ADE reporting, and the pass rate for all items ranged from 56.7% to 96.0%. Pharmacists' age (r = -0.106, P = 0.042) and years of experience (-0.134, P = 0.010) were negatively correlated with knowledge levels, whereas hours worked by pharmacists was positively correlated with knowledge levels (0.130, P = 0.012). Mean knowledge levels differed by practice setting, job title, and area/setting of primary place of employment (P < 0.001). Texas pharmacists have knowledge gaps concerning ADE reporting to FDA. Pharmacists need more education, awareness, and training on ADE reporting, especially regarding reportable ADEs, how to report, and what constitutes a good report.

Professional values and pharmacy practice: implications of a predominantly female Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists

Abstract It is expected that the Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists of Great Britain will comprise a majority of female practitioners by about the year 2000. It is, therefore, pertinent to compare the opinions of male and female practitioners (pharmacists, doctors, dentists, nurses, optometrists and radiographers) about their practice. This study uses methodology published in an earlier paper to identify those opinions. Male and female practitioners had similar views in three areas: the concepts they considered important for the highest quality of practice, their valuation of patient safety, and the prevalence of conflict between National Health Service policies and professional ideas. There were three concepts which female practitioners considered more important than did males. One was confidentiality. Another was law (and, indeed, more male, than female, pharmacists were both investigated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Statutory Committee and removed from the Register). The third was “health care art”: a new balance between the artistic and scientific sides of pharmacy is predicted when the majority of pharmacists are female. The one concept which male practitioners considered more important was independence. This may be related to the lower proportion of females than males who have risen to positions of authority.

Attitudes of community pharmacists towards medication error reporting

Abstract Focal points

Community pharmacy management of acute diarrhoea in adults

Abstract Objective To study the community pharmacy management of acute diarrhoea in adults and to explore the attitudes and beliefs of community pharmacists towards the management of this common condition. Method Data were collected over a four-week period on the incidence and presentation of acute diarrhoea in adults by pharmacy staff in 17 pharmacies who were participating in a community pharmacy research panel. A postal survey on attitudes and beliefs about the treatment of diarrhoea was sent to a random sample of 2,500 community pharmacists. Key findings A total of 1,401 community pharmacists responded to the survey (response rate 59 per cent). Their responses suggested ambiguity in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in community pharmacy, particularly in relation to attitudes to oral rehydration and anti-motility drugs. Although the majority of pharmacists surveyed were aware of recommendations to treat adult patients with acute diarrhoea with oral rehydration, in practice many stated that they often sold an anti-motility treatment, a finding borne out by the high percentage of anti-motility sales (61 per cent) in the earlier part of the study. The decision to sell or recommend an anti-motility drug was often motivated by the patient's circumstances and their need for immediate symptomatic relief. Conclusion This study suggests that the community pharmacy management of acute diarrhoea is characterised by ambiguity and pragmatism. Existing guidelines for the treatment of diarrhoea fail to take into account the social context in which pharmacists operate, particularly in relation to patient demand and the need for symptom relief.

Breast cancer health promotion in Qatar: a survey of community pharmacists’ interests and needs

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Qatar. Despite the sustained efforts to increase breast cancer public awareness via campaigns and public screening programmes, breast cancer screening rate remains low. The involvement of community pharmacists in the communication and distribution of breast cancer screening information should have a significant positive impact. The objectives of this study were to determine the degree of community pharmacists' involvement in breast cancer health promotion activities in Qatar, to explore their attitudes towards the involvement in breast cancer health promotion, to assess their breast cancer knowledge, to gauge their interest in receiving breast cancer continuous education and to list their perceived barriers for including breast cancer health promotion activities into their daily practice. Community pharmacies in Qatar. The study objectives were addressed in a cross-sectional survey of all community pharmacists in Qatar. The extent of community pharmacists' involvement in breast cancer health promotion activities, the community pharmacists' interest and comfort in providing breast cancer health promotion, their breast cancer knowledge, their interest in receiving breast cancer continuous education, their attitudes and beliefs towards breast cancer health promotion and their perceived barriers for integrating breast cancer heath promotion activities into their daily practice. Over a 12-week period, we collected 195 surveys (60% response rate). Eighty-eight percent indicated that they never invited healthcare professionals to provide breast cancer education in the pharmacy, 78% said that they never distributed breast cancer educational materials, and 58% reported that they never counseled patients about breast cancer. Nevertheless, more than 60% were highly interested in being engaged in breast cancer health promotion activities. In addition, 87% believed that discussing breast cancer awareness with female patients in the pharmacy was beneficial to patients. Yet pharmacists perceived many barriers for integrating breast cancer health promotion into their daily practice including lack of educational materials (79%) and lack of public recognition (61%). Moreover, their breast cancer knowledge mean score was 63% with 77% expressing a high interest in receiving breast cancer continuous education. Despite their low involvement in breast cancer health promotion, the majority of pharmacists were interested in educating patients about breast cancer. However, low breast cancer knowledge and other barriers can prevent actualizing this role. Further work should focus on providing these pharmacists with breast cancer continuous education and overcoming all stated barriers.

Pharmacists’ Beliefs About Treatments and Outcomes of Mental Disorders: A Mental Health Literacy Survey

To assess the beliefs of pharmacists about the helpfulness of interventions for schizophrenia and depression. A survey instrument containing a measure of mental health literacy was mailed to a random sample of 2000 pharmacists registered with the Pharmacy Board of New South Wales in November 2009. Vignettes of a person with either depression or psychosis were presented, followed by questions related to the recognition of the disorder, the helpfulness of various interventions, prognosis with and without professional help, the person's long-term functioning in various social roles and the likelihood of the person being discriminated against. A total of 391 responses were received (response rate 19.5%). The majority of pharmacists correctly identified depression (92%) with fewer recognizing schizophrenia (79%). Pharmacists rated medicine use highly for both schizophrenia and depression but were also positive about the use of psychological therapies and lifestyle interventions. Pharmacists had negative views about admission to a psychiatric ward and the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, younger pharmacists had significantly more positive views on the use of ECT (p = 0.001). The majority of pharmacists (74%) thought discrimination by the community was highly likely and rated long-term prognosis as poor without appropriate professional help. Their views on the likelihood of specific negative outcomes were mixed, with many pharmacists not recognizing the risk of suicide in schizophrenia and depression. However, both female (p = 0.002) and younger pharmacists (p < 0.001) were significantly more inclined to rate the likelihood of suicide as more likely in a person with schizophrenia or depression. The majority of pharmacists had a high degree of mental health literacy as indicated by the correct identification of, and support for evidence-based interventions for mental illnesses. Pharmacists should be aware that their attitudes and stigma towards mental illness may impact on the patient care they provide.