TITLE:
The Pharmacists Attributes in Advising Patients in Independently Owned Maltese Pharmacies
AUTHORS:
Alina Cernasev, Ronald Hadsall, Maria Cordina
KEYWORDS:
Pharmacists, Independent Maltese Pharmacies, Over the Counter Medications, Safety, Counseling
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.5,
May
13,
2014
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.