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The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7171 p595-597
27 October 2001

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Community pharmacy

Enormous pressure

From Mr J. V. Wilson, MRPharmS

I thank David Kaye (PJ, 20 October, p545) for his comments on the prescription with which I started my "Broad Spectrum" article. I fear, though, that his enthusiasm for correcting the poor prescribing made him miss the main point of the article, which was about dispensing errors and my belief that the "fast food" mentality can be a major contributor to them. I can assure him that the first thoughts that I and many other pharmacists have is about the appropriateness of the prescription. However, the fact remains that we are all under enormous pressure to dispense quickly.

Many patients are certainly far from patient and sometimes resent questions such as Mr Kaye advocates, or even simple explanations. In a recent day's locum, the dispenser commented on the slowness of one locum they had had. "They [the patients] won't wait," she said. I found this out for myself. I had started to explain to a woman that she should avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole, when she snatched the package out of my hand and walked out without a word. Perhaps she was hurrying to the pub.

If one does attempt to contact a doctor, a nursing home or, heaven forfend, a hospital about a patient's prescription, this simply adds to the waiting time for other patients in the pharmacy.

I have devised a card (see below) for one pharmacy where the problem of patients complaining about waiting even five minutes became particularly acute. It is reproduced here in the hope that colleagues may find it useful.

Medicines are not like groceries!

Sometimes, when we are very busy, you may have to wait some time before your prescription is dispensed. Medicines have power to do you much good but can also be harmful in some circumstances.

Part of our job is to make sure, along with your doctor, that your prescription is suitable for you, so we do a lot of checks on your medicines before they are handed to you.

We keep a record of all your prescriptions on our computer to help us.

Sometimes we have to telephone someone's doctor, and occasionally a hospital, about their medicines.

Often, people will ask our advice in the pharmacy, or will telephone to speak to the pharmacist. There may be complicated problems with medicines for patients in care homes or nursing homes. We are always pleased to help.

However, all these things take time. This is why you may have to wait a while for your medicines. Please help us by leaving your prescription with us and collecting your medicines later whenever possible.

John Wilson
Arnold, Nottinghamshire

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