Affiliation:
1. Robert Gordon University Garthdee Campus: Robert Gordon University
2. CaP Campus Pharmazie GmbH
3. University of Innsbruck Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy: Universitat Innsbruck Fakultat fur Chemie und Pharmazie
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Recent legal changes in Germany entitle patients on multiple medications to receive a medication review (MR). However, the provision of MRs is not mandatory and pharmacy owners decide whether to implement this service in their pharmacies.
Aim
To determine pharmacy owners’ attitudes towards MRs, investigate their willingness to include MRs in the remit of their pharmacies and explore their experiences with MR-implementation.
Methods
Pharmacy owners were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used with selection criteria being MR-implementation stage, and geographical location of the pharmacy. The topic guide was based on a systematic review and the Framework for Implementation of Services in Pharmacy (FISpH). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded directly against the FISpH.
Results
Twenty-one pharmacy owners were interviewed. Despite participants’ consistent positive attitude towards MRs, most believed that providing MRs on an economically viable basis would be challenging. Several practical suggestions emerged which would enable community pharmacies a smoother implementation of MRs. Suggestions included employing ‘change facilitators’, who visit and support implementing pharmacies; national awareness campaigns targeting patients and health professionals; reducing bureaucracy; continuous professional development; involving technicians in some MR-tasks; and offering an additional incentive to lower the initial implementation threshold.
Conclusion
This research identified numerous factors that are likely to increase owners’ and managers’ support to the idea of MRs. This may be of interest to any country planning implementation of MRs.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference53 articles.
1. PCNE definition of medication review: reaching agreement;Griese-Mammen N;Int J Clin Pharm,2018
2. World Health Organization. Medication Safety in Polypharmacy. World Health Organization. Geneva; Switzerland; 2019.
3. Polypharmacy prevalence among older adults based on the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe;Midão L;Arch Gerontol Geriatr,2018
4. Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand. Medicines Use Review. Pharmaceutical Society of NZ [cited 7.6.2022]. Available from: https://www.psnz.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=449.
5. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Medication Therapy Reviews [cited 7.6.2022]. Available from: https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/advocacy-government-relations-initiatives/value-for-services/medication-therapy-reviews/.