The Pharmacists Attributes in Advising Patients in Independently Owned Maltese Pharmacies

Alina Cernasev, Ronald Hadsall, Maria Cordina

Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/pp.2014.55056                

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the influence of pharmacists on customers who have to decide between Over the Counter products in independently owned Maltese pharmacies. Methods: 20 managing pharmacists in independently owned Maltese pharmacies were interviewed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and the data were coded. The main categories and subcategories were extracted and interrelated by using the grounded theory of action approach. Key findings Pharmacists dedicate time to ensure the right OTC is received by their patients. Before recommending an OTC medication the pharmacists ask key questions, which help them determine if an OTC is appropriate for the patient. The Maltese pharmacists engage their patients in a discussion before recommending an OTC product. In order to ensure that the patients are following their advice, pharmacists use different techniques. Whenever the patient might want to purchase an OTC, which could interfere with their medication regimen or might not be appropriate from the age point of view, then pharmacist intervenes accordingly. Each pharmacist offered specific examples how they convince their patients to purchase the correct medication. The pharmacists provided specific examples how they decide to select a specific OTC medicine and what type of questions were asked before taking a decision. In order to ensure their patients have the best access to the health care, many pharmacists embraced other roles and services, such as measuring and monitoring the blood pressure and glucose levels, determining the correct weight management product. Conclusions: The analyzed data highlight that Maltese community pharmacists play an important role in counseling patients on their choice of OTC products. The analysis has also identified some useful counseling techniques, which has been used by pharmacists for prescription medications. However, the Maltese pharmacists use these counseling techniques on a larger scale. It seems likely that many pharmacists are embracing more additional roles to ensure their population receives the best clinical services. Before dispensing an OTC medication, pharmacists use their clinical knowledge.

Keywords

Pharmacists, Independent Maltese Pharmacies, Over the Counter Medications, Safety, Counseling

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Zammit, V. (2011) Malta History & Tradition. 1st Edition, BDL Publishing, San Gwann.
[2]	Worley, M.M., et al. (2007) Pharmacists’ and Patients’ Roles in the Pharmacist-Patient Relationship: Are Pharmacists and Patients Reading from the Same Relationship Script? Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 3, 47-69.
[3]	Helper, C.D. and Strand, L.M. (1990) Opportunities and Responsibilities in Pharmaceutical Care. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacists, 47, 543-553.
[4]	McCann, L.M., Haughey, S.L., Parsons, C., Lloyd, F., Crealey, G., Gormley, G.J. and Hughes, C.M. (2012) A Patient Perspective of Pharmacist Prescribing: “Crossing the Specialisms-Crossing the Illnesses”. Health Expectations, Epub Ahead of Print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.12008
[5]	Farris, K.B., Fernandez-Llimos, F. and Benrimoj, S.I. (2005) Pharmaceutical Care in Community Pharmacies: Practice and Research from around the World. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 39, 1539-1541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1345/aph.1G049
[6]	Cipolle, R., Strand, L.M. and Morely, P.C. (2012) Pharmaceutical Care Practice: The Patient-Centered Approach to Medication Management Services. McGrow-Hill Medical, New-York.
[7]	Mifusd, J. (2011) Abuse of OTC and Prescribed Drugs: Popping Pills for Thrills? Journal of the Malta College of Pharmacy, 17, 16-20.
[8]	Sheen, C.L. and Colin-Jones, D.G. (2001) Review Article: Over-the-Counter Drugs and the Gastrointestinal Tract. Aliment Pharmacology Therapeutics, 15, 1263-1270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2001.01042.x
[9]	Faerber, A.E. and Kreling, D.H. (2012) Now You See It. Now You Don’t: Fair Balance and Adequate Provision in Advertisements for Drugs before and after the Switch from Prescription to Over-the-Counter. Health Communication, 27, 66-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2011.569001
[10]	Yin, H.S., Mendelsohn, A.L., Nagin, P., van Schaick, L., Cerra, M.E. and Dreyer, B.P. (2013) Use of Active Ingredient Information for Low Socioeconomic Status Parents’ Decision-Making Regarding Cough and Cold Medications: Role of Health Literacy. Academic Pediatrics, 13, 229-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2013.01.004
[11]	Dillman, D.A. (2007) Mail and Internet Surveys. 2nd Edition, New York John Wiley & Sons, New York.
[12]	Grosshans, W. and Chelimsky, E. (1991) Using Structured Interviewing Techniques. United States General Accounting Office, Washington DC.
[13]	Glasser, B.G. and Srauss, A.L. (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Adeline Publishing Company, Chicago.
[14]	Cernasev, A., Freitas, E., Hadsall, R. and Cordina, M. (2013) Pharmacists Approach in Enhancing Self-Care through the Use of over the Counter Medication in Independent Community Pharmacies in Malta. Proceedings of 73rd International Congress of FIP, Dublin, Poster Number 47. http://www.postersessiononline.eu/aula_poster.asp?congreso=375133693&grupo =todos&buscar=si&texto=Alina%20Cernasev&texto_libre=Alina%20Cernasev&tipo=autor
[15]	Nkansah, N., Mostovetsky, O., Yu, C., Chheng, T., Beney, J., Bond, C.M. and Bero, L. (2010) Effect of Outpatient Pharmacists’ Non-Dispensing Roles on Patient Outcomes and Prescribing Patterns. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, Article ID: CD000336.
[16]	You, J.H. Wong, F.Y., Chan, F.W., Wong, E.L. and Yeoh, E.K. (2011) Perception on the Role of Community Pharmacists in Self-Medication and Self-Care in Hong Kong. BMC Clinical Pharmacology, 25, 11-19.
[17]	Lewis, R.K., Lasack, N.L., Lambert, B.L. and Connor, S.E. (1997) Patient Counseling—A Focus on Maintenance Therapy. American Journal of Health Systems Pharmacy, 54, 2084-2098.
[18]	Kansanaho, H., Isonen-Sjölund, N., Pietilä, K., Airaksinen, M. and Isonen, T. (2002) Patient Counselling Profile in a Finnish Pharmacy. Patient Education and Counselling, 47, 77-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0738-3991(01)00180-X
[19]	Chew, L.D., Bradley, K.A. and Boyko, E.J. (2004) Brief Questions to Identify Patients with Inadequate Health Literacy. Family Medicine, 36, 588-594.
[20]	Ngoh, L.N. (2009) Health Literacy: A Barrier to Pharmacist-Patient Communication and Medication Adherence. Journal of the American Pharmacist Association, 49, e132-e146.
[21]	Morrell, R.W., Park, D.C. and Poon, L.W. (1990) Effects of Labeling Techniques on Memory and Comprehension of Prescription Information in Young and Old Adults. Journal of Gerontology, 45, 166-172. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronj/45.4.P166
[22]	Sansgiry, S.S., Chanda, S. and Shringarpure, G.S. (2007) Impact of Bilingual Product Information Labels on Spanish-Speaking Adults’ Ability to Comprehend OTC Information. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 3, 410-425. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2006.12.001
[23]	Hanna, L.A. and Hughes, C. (2012) The Influence of Evidence-Based Medicine Training on Decision-Making in Relation to Over-the-Counter Medicines: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 20, 358-366. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7174.2012.00220.x
[24]	Hanna, L.A. and Hughes, C. (2011) Public’s Views on Making Decisions about Over-the-Counter Medication and Their Attitudes towards Evidence of Effectiveness: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. Patient Education Counselling, 83, 345-351.
[25]	Hanna, L.A. and Hughes, C. (2010) “First, Do No Harm”: Factors That Influence Pharmacists Making Decisions about Over-The-Counter Medication: A Qualitative Study in Northern Ireland. Drug Safety, 33, 245-255. http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/11319050-000000000-00000