A 30-minute BBC television programme to be broadcast at 5.30am on December 12 shows how pharmacists can benefit from listening to the experience of people on long-term medication.
"Patients and pharmacists: working together " is to be broadcast in the BBC2 learning zone - a service used by the Open University and shown overnight on BBC2 so that people can record programmes which interest them. The aim of the programme is to alert pharmacists to the need to take on board patients' own knowledge and expertise with their medicines and incorporate that into routine professional practice.
Mr Rob Swallow (assistant director for educational development at the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education), who approached the BBC with the idea for the programme, told The Journal: "As pharmacists we hear a lot about being patient-focused. In short, we need to take serious account of our patients' experiences with medicines. Although it is important that pharmacists educate their patients about medicines, this is not what the programme is about. Rather it is about respecting the expertise that patients develop themselves while using medicines and learning from that. "
Mr Swallow prepared a programme proposal, which was accepted by the BBC. A small team of people worked on the project in an advisory capacity. In addition to Mr Swallow, these included Ms Angela Timoney (a pharmacist with diabetes mellitus), Mr Paul Bissell (a social scientist), and Mr Graham Macarthur (a patient).
The CPPE is keen to hear from pharmacists, other health care professionals and lay people who watch the programme. A local call rate telephone number (0845 601 2946) has been set up for anyone to ring with feedback.