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Pharmacist prescribing
Independent prescriber would also have to be susceptible
From Mr N. P. Simmons, MRPharmS, and Dr C. M. Temple, MRPharmS
We were distressed to read that supplementary prescribers may be susceptible
to undue influence from the promotional efforts of the pharmaceutical
industry (PJ, 13 November, p707).
Pharmacists are professionals who act in the best interests of patients
and it is disappointing to read that Charles Medawar feels that our colleagues
can be so influenced. Indeed making such comments to an audience of non-pharmacists
is unfortunate and potentially damaging to the profession.
Supplementary prescribers prescribe according to a clinical management
plan (CMP) drawn up in consultation with an independent prescriber. Therefore
both parties would need to be influenced by a drug company. These CMPs
often refer to national guidelines and evidence-based practice, often
using a narrow range of drugs with a proven track record of efficacy
and safety, not the new money spinners that the drug companies are throwing
their marketing weight behind. This approach means that supplementary
prescribing is of the highest standard and it is hoped that this will,
in time, influence the prescribing habits of our medical colleagues.
The comprehensive prescribing syllabus includes interpretation of scientific
and “advertorial” literature and managing relationships with
the drug companies. Even so, we have received requests from supplementary
prescribers for yet more training in recognising and responding to promotional
techniques used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Our supplementary prescribers are pathfinders, committed to demonstrating
improved patient outcomes and, by comparison, comments we have heard
from industry representatives on the attitudes and antics of medical
practitioners show that nurses and pharmacists will have a lot of catching
up to do.
Nigel Simmons
Non-Medical Prescribing Lead (Cambridgeshire)
Catherine Temple
Non-Medical Prescribing Facilitator (Norfolk)
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal