The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7181 p55-58
19 January 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Drug misuse

Informing prescribers about missed doses

From Mr M. Bennett, MRPharmS

Further to the letter from Paul Radnan (PJ, 5/12 January, p17) concerning informing prescribers where there has been failure to collect drug instalments, I am pleased to say that we operate such a scheme in Sheffield.

Over 40 pharmacies have registered as part of Sheffield's Co-ordinated Pharmacy Services for Drug Users and each has been issued with a pack containing a matrix chart for obtaining a monthly overview of missed doses and "faxback" forms for informing prescribers of missed doses.

We also provide a plastic wallet for storing patient details which has a front pocket to hold the instalment prescription(s).

Our scheme involves the client signing a registration form which includes the following: "We also ask you to note that this scheme involves us reporting back to the prescribing team and to the service co-ordinator details of collections, missed doses and breaches of the rules. In addition, Sheffield Health, who fund the scheme, reserve the right to examine our records. Should you decide to change pharmacies then we ask you to note that your records may be passed to the new pharmacy."

I believe it is essential that patients and clients are informed in advance of the way the system operates.

Any pharmacists requiring samples of our files and forms can contact me.

Martin Bennett
Associated Chemists (Wicker) Ltd,
61–71 Wicker, Sheffield S3 8HT
E-mail martin@wicker.co.uk

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