Assessment of pharmacist’s recommendation of non-prescription medicines in Brazil: a simulated patient study

Abstract

This study showed that the pharmacists' counseling in the simulated patient assessment was insufficient, indicating a need for substantial improvement in practice behavior.

Assessment of counselling for acute diarrhoea in German pharmacies: a simulated patient study†

“…While, for example, barely any information was provided for the criterion ‘side effects’, pharmacies often provided information about the dosage of the medication. Similar differences are also seen in the international literature 6, 7, 16, 28, 30, 31, 41, 42…”

“…Stiftung Warentest, a consumer organisation in Germany, also conducts test purchases at regular intervals and identifies a rather poor quality advisory service 8, 10. This is in no way a problem limited to Germany because such deficiencies in the advice provided in pharmacies are described many times in the international literature 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. On the other hand, there are also a few examples internationally of in part appropriate advisory services provided by pharmacies 39, 40…”

Assessment of the attitude of community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards diarrhea: A simulated patient study in Turkey

“…In a recent article, which had the aim of assessing non-prescription medication recommendations of pharmacists with the simulated patient method, it was observed that 8 % of the participants were advised to try oral rehydration in childhood diarrhea cases [20]. As already suggested in Driesen et al [11], in the present study, concerns related to medication costs would probably be the main reason why probiotics were the most preferred treatment, over oral rehydration products.…”

Evaluation of the effectiveness of an Internet-based continuing education program on pharmacy-based minor ailment management: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…However, studies performed in several other countries showed that CPs frequently do not appropriately assess the patient's condition, do not choose the correct therapeutic approach, do not provide objective information about medications or how to use them, or assess patient outcomes with the use of medications (Mesquita et al, 2013;Ratanajamit, Chongsuvivatwong, 2001;Kubiliene et al, 2006) thus raising concerns about therapeutic and adverse clinical consequences for patients.…”

“…These schemes were originally proposed by the UK NHS as part of their long-term strategy to encourage patient self-care and the utilization of pharmacies as the first port of call for minor ailments where professional support was required (Department of Health, 2000). A systematic review by Paudyal et al (2013) verified that minor ailments are being dealt with appropriately by PMASs, with low reconsultation rates and high symptom-resolution rates.However, studies performed in several other countries showed that CPs frequently do not appropriately assess the patient's condition, do not choose the correct therapeutic approach, do not provide objective information about medications or how to use them, or assess patient outcomes with the use of medications (Mesquita et al, 2013;Ratanajamit, Chongsuvivatwong, 2001;Kubiliene et al, 2006) thus raising concerns about therapeutic and adverse clinical consequences for patients.Pharmacy education curricula in several developing countries do not focus on patient care, with only a few disciplines that focus on developing communication skills, semiology, and pharmacotherapy knowledge (de Castro, Correr, 2007;Ghilzai, Dutta, 2007;Volmer, Vendla, Vetka, 2008). This gap in pharmacy graduation curricula in developing countries can result in inappropriate CP knowledge, skills, and competency and hinder pharmacy-based minor ailment management.…”