The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7213 p278-281
31 August 2002

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  Needle exchange
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  EHC
  Remuneration
  Compliance
  Type 2 diabetes
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Letters to the Editor

Compliance

One-to-one advice is crucial

From Dr M. S. Mudhar, MRPharmS

I read with interest your article (PDF 150K) "How pharmacists can be recognised for helping patients stay on course" (PJ, 10 August, p187).

The concept of using modern technology to remind patients should be applauded, as I am sure it aids the compliance process. However, I believe that, as an industry, we often forget the power of pharmacists themselves and the trust the public place in them.

Our work with our Vantage pharmacists shows us that basic advice from a trained professional is key. At the point medicines are handed over, pharmacists need time to be able to talk to the patient and go through their medicines on a product by product basis.

I believe that, at Vantage, we have taken this a step further with our medicines management programme by encouraging pharmacists to visit patients. This is easier than it sounds since most pharmacies offer a collection and delivery service. Here pharmacists are in an excellent position to call on patients, discuss their medicines with them and gain a further insight into their lifestyle and social environment — all aspects key in the medicines management programme.

So, while I do not want to dismiss the use of modern technology — I think it is important — I do believe that the one-to-one advice from your local pharmacist, the establishment of a relationship, going that one step further by seeing them, is crucial to the compliance process.

Mandeep Mudhar
Marketing Manager
Vantage Pharmacy

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