More training on OTC medicines needed, says BMA
Prescribers and patients need more training on the use of non-prescription medicines, according to a report entitled “Over-the-counter medication” published by the British
Medical Association this week.
The report, written by Alison Blenkinsopp, professor of the practice
of pharmacy, Keele University, and Christine Bond, professor of primary
care pharmacy, University of Aberdeen, says that self-management of minor
ailments and long-term conditions is becoming more prevalent and a strategic
approach is needed to integrate OTC medicines use with the wider NHS.
Commenting on the report, John D’Arcy, chief executive of the National
Pharmaceutical Association, said: “The NPA particularly welcomes
the recommendation that there be greater integration of self-care into
NHS planning and, as part of this, that a strategic approach be taken
to POM-to-P switches and that cognisance be taken of the public health
impacts of widespread P-to-GSL switching.”
The report calls for education on OTC medicines for prescribers during
basic training and as part of continuing professional development. Gopa
Mitra, director of health policy and public affairs at the Proprietary
Association of Great Britain, believes that pharmacists could play a
role in this training. She told The Journal: “Primary care trusts
could use pharmacists’ knowledge of over-the-counter medicines
by asking them to go into practices and conduct training sessions with
staff, including GPs, on products available over the counter.” She
added: “GPs are not encouraging patients to tell them about their
self-care habits. Let us try to make that happen before we condemn consumers
for not offering up the information.”
The report also highlights the need for patients to be aware of the risks,
as well as the benefits, of OTC medicines. “It is important that
[the public] recognise that OTC medicines can be as potent and potentially
dangerous as any other drug. Much more information needs to be disseminated
to the public about this.” It recommends that educational courses
on self-management of common illnesses for adults and children should
be considered. It adds that a readily accessible internet or paper-based
source, bringing together the evidence on OTC medicines, could provide
decision support for patients and health care providers.
The NPA agrees that everything possible should be done to empower consumers.
Mr D’Arcy commented: “The public need to be encouraged to
engage in dialogue with health care professionals — particularly
pharmacists.”
OTC supply records
A further recommendation in the report is that health care professionals
and the public should discuss the extent to which formal record
keeping for over-the-counter medicines should be implemented.
“If the trend for POM-to-P switches of medicines to treat long-term
conditions continues, such pharmacy records could become the sole
clinical record of their use. Patient safety would be maximised
by the joining up of pharmacy systems to the NHS electronic patient
record spine,” the report states.
Under the new community
pharmacy contract pharmacists in England
and Wales are required
to make a record of OTC sales or advice given
if the customer is known to the pharmacy and
the pharmacist considers it is clinically relevant
to do so. |
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Pharmaceutical Journal
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