Reporting Purchasers of Pseudoephedrine Products to Police: New Zealand Community Pharmacists' Experiences

INTRODUCTION: One of the recommended methods for households to dispose of unused medications in many countries is to return them to community pharmacies. However, such a practice will only reduce the environmental levels of pharmaceuticals if the medications are also disposed of and destroyed properly by the pharmacies. AIM: This study reports the results of a questionnaire sent to New Zealand community pharmacists regarding disposal practices for unused or expired medications in their workplaces. METHODS: A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was sent to 500 randomly selected community pharmacies from all areas of New Zealand. The participants were asked how they disposed of a variety of medications. In addition, participants were also asked about whether they knew how unused medications were destroyed if their pharmacy used a third-party contractor or distributor to dispose of them. RESULTS: Of the 265 respondents, 80.4% and 61.1% respectively reported that solid and semi-solid medications were removed by contractors. However liquid and Class B controlled drugs were predominantly disposed of down the pharmacy sink. Over 60% of the participating pharmacists indicated that they believed the contractors incinerated the collected pharmaceutical waste, and over 90% of the participating pharmacists indicated their wish for a state-run disposal and destruction system. DISCUSSION: Liquid medications and Class B controlled drugs, which were commonly reported to be disposed of down the sewerage system, may increase the potential for environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals in New Zealand. There is a need for increased environmental awareness amongst community pharmacists in New Zealand. KEYWORDS: Medication disposal; pharmaceutical waste; environment; excess medication; community pharmacist

Download Full-text

“Basically you wait for an ‘in’’’: community pharmacist views on their role in weight management in New Zealand

Journal of Primary Health Care ◽

10.1071/hc16026 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 365 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lesley Gray ◽

Rachel Chamberlain ◽

Caroline Morris

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Weight Management ◽

Community Pharmacist ◽

Local Community ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Pharmacy Staff ◽

Health Community

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Obesity is now widely regarded as the main contributor to poor health globally, overtaking tobacco as the leading potentially modifiable risk to health. Community pharmacists are delivering an increasing number of extended services and are potentially well placed to contribute to obesity management strategies. No studies to date have investigated the views of community pharmacists in New Zealand about their role in weight management. AIM To explore the views of community pharmacists in one region of New Zealand about their role in weight management, including the perceived barriers and facilitators to their involvement. METHODS Qualitative, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 community pharmacists from the Greater Wellington region. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using an inductive approach. RESULTS Four key themes were identified from data analysis. These were: (i) perceptions of obesity; (ii) perceptions of weight management treatment options; (iii) the unique position of the community pharmacist; and (iv) barriers to involvement. The main barriers described included: (i) a lack of time and remuneration; (ii) the absence of an appropriate space within the pharmacy to discuss weight-related matters; (iii) and a lack of awareness of who to contact for specialist support. DISCUSSION Community pharmacists in Greater Wellington believe that they have a distinct role in their local community and can contribute to a multidisciplinary approach to reduce levels of obesity. Further work is required to determine the most appropriate role for community pharmacy in weight management and the training needs for pharmacy staff to optimally fulfil this role.

Download Full-text

Interventions performed by New Zealand community pharmacists while dispensing prescription medications

Pharmacy World & Science ◽

10.1007/s11096-009-9343-7 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 22-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Rhiannon Braund ◽

Heidi M. Furlan ◽

Katherine George ◽

Maria M.A. Havell ◽

Jenna L. Murphy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Prescription Medications

Download Full-text

Electronic transmission of prescriptions in primary care: transformation, timing and teamwork

Journal of Primary Health Care ◽

10.1071/hc21050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 340

Author(s):

Chloë Campbell ◽

Caroline Morris ◽

Lynn McBain

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

New Zealand ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Interprofessional Communication ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Handwritten Signature ◽

Purposive Sample

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in New Zealand in March 2020, there was a rapid shift to virtual consultations in primary care. This change was supported by system adjustments to enable electronic transmission of prescriptions without a handwritten signature if they met certain security criteria. International research suggests potential for unintended consequences with such changes, so it is important to understand the effect on professional practice in New Zealand general practice and community pharmacy.AIMThe purpose of this study was to undertake a preliminary exploration of the experiences of New Zealand general practitioners and community pharmacists when prescriptions are transmitted electronically directly from prescriber to pharmacy.METHODSSemi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of four pharmacists and four general practitioners gathered qualitative data about their experiences of the shift to electronic transmission of prescriptions. Participants’ perceptions of effect on professional workflow, interprofessional interactions between general practitioners and pharmacists, and interactions with patients were explored. Interviews were audio-recorded, and the data analysed thematically using an inductive approach.RESULTSFour themes were identified: workflow transformation; mixed impact on interactions with patients; juggling timing and expectations; and new avenues for interprofessional communication (with some cul-de-sacs).DISCUSSIONBoth general practitioners and pharmacists experienced transformational changes to workflow. This was positive for general practitioners due to saved time and increased work flexibility. Pharmacists noted potential benefits but also some challenges. To fully reap teamwork benefits, more work is needed on managing the timing issues and patient expectations, and to refine the new modes of communication between health-care practitioners.

Download Full-text

Facilitating equitable prevention and management of gout for Māori in Northland, New Zealand, through a collaborative primary care approach

Journal of Primary Health Care ◽

10.1071/hc18082 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 117 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Aniva Lawrence ◽

Sharon Scott ◽

Fabio Saparelli ◽

Georgina Greville ◽

Andrew Miller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

New Zealand ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Community Support ◽

Serum Urate ◽

Acute Gout ◽

Serum Urate Level ◽

Diabetes Status ◽

Urate Lowering Treatment

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONThe Gout Stop Programme was developed for primary care in Northland, New Zealand, to address inequitable health outcomes for Māori and Pacific people with gout. AIMThe aim of the programme was to make it easier for clinicians to prescribe urate-lowering treatment, facilitate patient adherence through education and support, and reduce barriers to gout prevention and long-term management. METHODSFrom 2015 to 2017, patients with acute gout who met inclusion criteria were prescribed treatment according to a ‘Gout Stop Pack’ option, based on renal function and diabetes status. Patients were monitored by community pharmacists. Gout educators and a Gout Kaiāwhina (community support worker) provided education and support to patients and whānau (families). Patient completion of the programme and outcomes, according to target serum urate level, were recorded. Patient experience was documented using a questionnaire and rating scale. RESULTSIn total, 160 clinicians prescribed therapy at 887 patient presentations; 71% were Māori and Pacific patients. The completion rate was 55% in this group and 84% for the non-Māori and non-Pacific group. In the Māori and Pacific group, 40% reached the target serum urate level (≤0.36 mmol L-1) in 91 days, and 26% required further titration. In the non-Māori/non-Pacific group, these rates were 51% and 19% respectively. Following programme completion, 68% of Māori and Pacific patients and 65% of non-Māori and non-Pacific patients continued to take allopurinol. The 21 patients interviewed rated the programme as excellent or very good. DISCUSSIONCulturally appropriate education and support for patients and the primary care team was essential. Collaboration between prescribers, community pharmacists and support workers reduced barriers to initiating prevention and long-term urate-lowering treatment and urate testing in this high-needs gout population.

Download Full-text

Patient-focused medicines information: General practitioners’ and pharmacists’ views on websites and leaflets

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896918811373 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 78 (3) ◽

pp. 340-351 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Amber Young ◽

June Tordoff ◽

Sharon Leitch ◽

Alesha Smith

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Medicine Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Information Leaflets ◽

Medicines Information ◽

Written Information

Objectives: To determine how often general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists recommend patients obtain information about their medicines via websites and to explore factors that might improve the delivery of written information about medicines to patients. Design: Cross-sectional surveys. Setting: GPs and community pharmacists in New Zealand primary care. Method: Questionnaires were developed and sent to a sample of pharmacists and GPs. Data were collected using SurveyMonkey® and analysed to examine views about websites and leaflets informing patients about medicines. Results: In total, 143 GPs and 126 pharmacists responded. GPs and pharmacists did not routinely direct patients to medicine information websites. Most commonly, GPs did not provide medicine information leaflets due to time constraints and concerns about possibly confusing information. Both professions thought leaflets might cause patients to worry about side-effects. Pharmacists mainly withheld leaflets because the medicine has been taken previously or because leaflet indications differed to prescribed use. A summary leaflet, if available, would be the preferred option for improving leaflet provision. Conclusion: Providing digital medicine information is uncommon in New Zealand. Summarised, relevant information tailored to patient requirements might facilitate the provision of medicines information at the point of care.

Download Full-text

A model of multidisciplinary professional development for health professionals in rural Canterbury, New Zealand

Journal of Primary Health Care ◽

10.1071/hc17049 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 292 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Susan Bidwell ◽

Andrea Copeland

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

New Zealand ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

Health Board ◽

District Health ◽

Multidisciplinary Model

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Pegasus Health Charitable Ltd, a Christchurch Primary Health Organisation, is contracted by the Canterbury District Health Board to provide continuing professional development for primary care practitioners in the region. Rurally located health practitioners have largely been unable to participate because of the travel time and distances involved. AIM The initiative reported in this paper aimed to fill this gap by developing an accessible and high-quality multidisciplinary model of professional development for general practitioners, nurse practitioners, practice nurses and community pharmacists in rural areas of North Canterbury, New Zealand. METHODS A survey was conducted to learn from the experiences of 14 health professionals in an existing multidisciplinary group, which had developed as a local initiative in one rural community. RESULTS The survey had an 86% response rate. All respondents believed the multidisciplinary format worked well, had improved collaborative working and increased the consistency of patient care. Access to professional development had improved and the meetings provided a useful forum for the mostly part-time staff to interact as a group. The main caution noted was the potential to become inward looking without being exposed to fresh ideas from other practices. DISCUSSION The multidisciplinary model was considered workable and valuable by the survey respondents. Based on our findings, the multidisciplinary model has been formalised by the Pegasus team responsible, and three new groups are now operating successfully in rural areas of North Canterbury.

Download Full-text