Objective
The aim of this study was to quantify the level of knowledge of patients treated with fertility drugs before and after information was provided by a hospital pharmacist, the acceptability of this counselling, and patient treatment adherence.
Materials and methods
Infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction techniques lasting 12 months were followed up through review of the patient's medical notes, a personal patient interview and a structured questionnaire. Consecutive couples were enrolled. Clinical patient data were collected from the patient's medical notes and patient medication knowledge was assessed by personal interview before and after pharmacy counselling. Acceptability by patients was evaluated using a questionnaire and adherence to treatment using hospital dispensing information.
Results
61 patients were included and 22 (36.06%) completed the acceptability questionnaire. The global satisfaction rate was 92.4% (4.62 points out of 5). There was 100% patient adherence to treatment. The percentage of medication knowledge was 60.9% before pharmacist counselling and 90% (increase of 29.2%) after counselling.
Conclusions
This study provides reassurance of the high adherence to treatment of these patients. Patients are receptive to counselling and satisfied with pharmaceutical care. Information received and ease of staff contact were rated highest and pharmacy opening hours were rated lowest. The difference in knowledge before and after pharmaceutical counselling implies such care is beneficial.
1 The modulation of 4-aminopyridine sensitive transient outward potassium current (4-AP I to ) by neuropeptide Y (NPY) (100 nM) in rat ventricular myocytes was examined using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique. 2 Continuous exposure to NPY (100 nM) for 3 ± 6 h signi®cantly increased 4-AP I to density. The stimulation of 4-AP I to density by NPY was concentration-dependent (EC 50 =10 nM). 3 In the presence of BIBP 3226, an NPY receptor antagonist that binds selectively to NPY Y1-receptors, the e ect of NPY on 4-AP I to density was maintained. However, in the presence of BIIE 0246, a highly selective non-peptide NPY Y2-receptor antagonist, NPY was unable to increase 4-AP I to density. 4 The e ect of NPY on 4-AP I to density was prevented by pretreatment with 500 ng ml 71 pertussis toxin (PTX) and by the speci®c protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, calphostin C (100 nM). 5 Thus, short term exposure to NPY induces an increase of 4-AP I to density in rat ventricular myocytes mediated by Y2-receptors and involving the action of PKC via a PTX-sensitive signalling cascade.
Objectives
The aim of the present work was to establish a specialised pharmaceutical care programme for patients with multiple sclerosis in order to analyse its effects on patient satisfaction, the detection of drug-related problems, and the identification and resolution of negative outcomes associated with medication.
Methods
This was a prospective, longitudinal study with a pre/post-exposure design regarding the pharmaceutical care programme implemented: in bimonthly visits the pharmacist identified, detected and resolved drug-related problems and negative outcomes, and also provided information about the treatment. All patients with multiple sclerosis treated with immunomodulatory drugs from 1 June to 31 December 2011 were included in the study. A Likert scale questionnaire was used before and 6 months after the implementation to assess its impact on perceived patient satisfaction.
Results
In all, 32 patients (20 women and 12 men), with an age of 39.7±8.3 years were included. A total of 26 were receiving treatment with interferon β and 6 with glatiramer acetate. All items assessing the pharmacist's skills and interest in the patient along with those assessing the information received by the patient showed significant improvement (p<0.001). Overall satisfaction also improved significantly (p=0.016). Of the 13 negative outcomes associated with medication identified, 9 were resolved. Eight negative outcomes were classified as ‘non-quantitative safety problems’ and two as ‘untreated health problems’ were due to the drug-related problem ‘probability of adverse effects’. Three classified as ‘quantitative ineffectiveness’ were due to an ‘insufficiently treated health problem’.
Conclusions
The implementation of a specialised pharmaceutical care programme led to a significant improvement in perceived patient satisfaction. It has also allowed for better detection of drug-related problems and identification and resolution of negative outcomes associated with medication.
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