The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7198 p694-696
18 May 2002

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European Society of Clinical Pharmacy summary

E-mail consultations in Slovenia

BOSTAN DEBELJAK, community pharmacist, Ljubljana, Slovenia, described a system where patients can request information electronically.

The types of question patients asked varied. They included: availability and prices of drugs; indications and side effects of prescribed medicines; information about medicines from abroad; and minor health problems. Students also used the service to find information. Some questions caused concerns for pharmacists, including those about inappropriate use of medicines.

An advantage of the service was that it meant that it allowed advice to be documented. "Patient counselling by e-mail represents a new quality service in community pharmacy," Mr Debeljak said.