NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF
RPS in Scotland will be sharing pharmacists’ pledges from the workshops on opioid dependency on social media. The pledges show how pharmacists are changing their approach to patients with opioid dependency after attending the workshops, which are being repeated in Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Elgin.
Opioid dependency has become a hot topic after a study from Aberdeen University revealed that 80% of Scottish pharmacists believed OTC products were being misused in their pharmacy. In response to this growing concern, RPS in Scotland designed a series of workshops to better support pharmacists in dealing with opioid dependency.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are available without prescription, allowing convenience and facilitating self-care. As more OTC drugs become available, concerns regarding misuse have increased. This study explored pharmacists’ perceptions about OTC drugs misuse, products involved and measures taken to address misuse.
The Aberdeen study was a cross-sectional postal survey. A questionnaire, based on one used previously (1995, 2000 and 2006), was posted to all community pharmacists in Scotland (n = 1246) in 2014. Questions related to suspected OTC misuse in their area, the products involved and resultant changes in policy. Data were managed and analysed in SPSS. Descriptive frequencies and �2 tests of association are reported. Responses were compared across the four cohorts.
The 2014 response rate was 57% (709). The proportion of pharmacists reporting suspected OTC misuse increased to 80.8% from 70.8% in 2006. Codeine-containing products were most frequently perceived to be misused; previously Nytol (diphenhydramine) had been most cited. Of pharmacists reporting suspected misuse, 91.3% had altered policies, including refusing sales and referring patients elsewhere.
The study concluded that pharmacists are increasingly reporting OTC misuse in their areas, particularly involving codeine products. The majority adapted sales policies to refl ect these concerns.
56 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST Treat infections without a GP appointment
Pharmacies across Forth Valley could become the fi rst port of call for people needing treatment for an uncomplicated urine infection.
for treatment for a urine infection will be prescribed Trimethoprim 200mg tablets, 1 twice a day for 3 days.
Carole Smith, Well Pharmacy Alloa, Lisa Taylor, Boots Pharmacy Falkirk and Jonathan Burton, Right Medicine Pharmacy, Stirling
As of 1st March 2016, all 76 pharmacies are now able to offer, if appropriate, free antibiotic treatment without the need for a prescription. On the spot medication will also be available, without prescription, for impetigo – a common skin infection which causes blisters and sores.
The move to make treatments available for these conditions in local pharmacies came about after fi gures for 2014/15 showed that almost 22,000 patients in Forth Valley were prescribed the antibiotic Trimethoprim by a GP for a urine infection and around 6,000 patients received Fusidic Acid cream for the skin condition impetigo.
NHS Forth Valley’s Pharmacy Director Gail Caldwell explains, “Urinary tract infections and impetigo are two of the most common conditions seen by GPs. Offering treatment in pharmacies not only takes pressure off GP services, including out-of-hours, but also makes it easier for people to get help without having to make an appointment. Most pharmacies are open six days a week, and some located in supermarkets operate in the evenings and on
Sundays.”
Harry McQuillan, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Scotland, added, “This is an excellent example of how community pharmacists can play a key role in supporting patient care and treatment by being the fi rst post of call for many common illnesses and conditions. I look forward to hearing more about the results of this local initiative in Forth Valley over the coming year.”
The new service is part of the wider Pharmacy First initiative which aims to make better use of pharmacy skills and widen the range of services available in local pharmacies across Scotland.
The new pilot scheme in NHS Forth Valley has already been trialled in several pharmacies over the past few months before being rolled out to all 76 pharmacies in the area. It will be promoted in local pharmacies across the area and supported by a local advertising campaign to help raise awareness of the new scheme.
Patients who are assessed by the community pharmacist as appropriate
Advocacy Toolkit launched
A Local Advocacy Toolkit has been published ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections on 5 May 2016. The toolkit gives Royal Pharmaceutical Society members practical guidance on building relationships and infl uencing their MSP candidates. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the recently launched RPS in Scotland manifesto, Right Medicine – Better Health – Fitter Future The toolkit provides tips
on pharmacy visits, setting agendas, following up, local press and social media. It also provides templates for letters and press releases.
RPS in Scotland hopes that if members can demonstrate pharmacy’s impact locally, MSP candidates will be moved to show their support. We are also calling for candidates to sign the pledge on the front page of the manifesto and
Patients who are assessed by the community pharmacist as appropriate for treatment for Impetigo will be prescribed Fusidic Acid 2% cream with the directions to apply four times daily for 7 days.
Meanwhile, women aged 16-64 who live in the Borders can now visit a local community pharmacist when they have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), without the need to make an appointment with their GP.
The service is currently available at 15 Community pharmacies in the Borders with more being made available over the next several months. The pharmacists have been trained to diagnose and treat uncomplicated UTIs, thereby saving both GPs and their patient’s time and resources.
Adrian MacKenzie, Lead Pharmacist for NHS Borders said, “Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common and can be very painful and uncomfortable but usually pass within a few days or can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics. They’re more common in women than in men and around half of all women in the UK will have a UTI at least once in their life.
“By introducing UTI services to community pharmacies in the Borders we are able to make it as easy as possible for women to receive the advice and treatment they need.”
tweet a photo of the signed pledge using #pharmacySP16. Head of External Relations, Susanne Cameron-Nielsen, commented, “RPS in Scotland’s manifesto is based on input from our members and we need their help in supporting it – that’s why we created the Local Advocacy Toolkit. We want candidates to recognise the value of pharmacists to their constituents’ health and to their local communities.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64