The International journal of pharmacy practice
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The electronic Minor Ailments Service (e-MAS), implemented in all community pharmacies in Scotland since 2006, allows pharmacists to manage minor ailments at no charge to patients including provision of medication, advice or referral. E-MAS is supported through an electronic network, 'E-pharmacy', which is managed by National Health Service Scotland. E-pharmacy has the capacity to remotely record e-MAS activities, such as details of medicines supply and patient registration allowing provision of feedback to community pharmacies. ⋯ This qualitative study has identified potential benefits of performance feedback data to pharmacists' practice. Key barriers to the use of the feedback, such as the issues of privacy and confidentiality need to be addressed by National Health Service information providers. Findings warrant further large scale evaluation of their application to practice.
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To explore the General Practitioner (GP)-pharmacist relationship, to gain insight into communication between the professions and evaluate opinion on extension of the role of the community pharmacist. ⋯ This study identifies a clear difference of opinion on the extension of the role of the community pharmacist and recognises problems in communication between the professions. This comes on the background of continued calls from the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for an extension of pharmacist roles and continued opposition from the Irish Medical Organisation to such moves. This study highlights the need for increased dialogue between representative organisations and a commitment for professional agendas to be set aside in the best interests of patients.
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Clinical pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the safe and rational use of medicines; however, physicians in developing countries may not always recognize the wide scope of services that a pharmacist can provide to improve patient safety and achieve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and experience of physicians regarding the role of the pharmacists, the pharmacists' ability to perform clinical services, their acceptance of new pharmacist roles and the extent of collaboration that can occur between the two disciplines. ⋯ Although a wide proportion of the physicians were aware of the clinical pharmacy principle, the service itself is not well promoted or applied. Greater effort needs to be directed towards increasing physicians' awareness and knowledge of the importance of clinical pharmacist and promote the benefit of the clinical pharmacy service.