The Consumers' Association says that response from health professionals to its new Treatment Notes leaflets for patients has been positive. In January, the first set of notes, on "Fighting 'flu" and "When and how to lose weight," was sent with Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin to 117,000 general practitioners, pharmacists and other health professionals (PJ January 29, p173). The leaflets, which aim to allow patients to share in decision making, are intended to be given out during consultations.
Mr Philip Taylor (editor of Treatment Notes) says: "Public confidence in the medical profession is at a low ebb. Effective health care depends on building a relationship between patient and professionals - a partnership for the increasingly complex decisions that have to be made. Treatment Notes is the cement in that partnership."
Mr Taylor told The Journal recently that the Consumers' Association was aware that pharmacists were often the first port of call for many patients seeking health care advice and it hoped the new leaflets could be used to support pharmacists who were ready to work in a closer partnership with patients.
The next Treatment Notes leaflet entitled "Inhaled steroids for children with asthma" is due to be sent to all subscribers of Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin on March 16. A leaflet on "Pill safety" is in production.
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin is purchased by the Department of Health and is sent to all medical practitioners and pharmaceutical advisors in England. In Wales, the bulletin is purchased on behalf of medical practitioners, pharmaceutical advisors and some pharmacists by the Welsh Office and in Scotland the bulletin is sent to all GP practices.
The National Pharmaceutical Association offers subscriptions to the bulletin for its members at a reduced rate.