The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7396 p451
15 April 2006

A prudent investment for community pharmacists

‘Symptoms in the pharmacy: a guide to the management of common illness’ (5th edition), by Alison Blenkinsopp, Paul Paxton and John Blenkinsopp. Pp vii+358. Price £25.95. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing; 2005. ISBN 1 4051 2222 6

The pharmacist’s role of responding to symptoms and recommending over-the-counter medicines requires a mix of diagnostic skills and a knowledge of diseases and their treatment. The fifth edition of this well-established book comes at an opportune time, providing a valuable resource for community pharmacists, especially those supplying medicines under minor ailments schemes and patient group directions. It has been revised to reflect the many prescription only medicine to pharmacy medicine switches that have taken place since it was last published in 2002.

The book’s introductory chapter highlights the importance of working in partnership with patients and with colleagues in the primary care sector. It also provides general guidance on how pharmacists can develop a method of information seeking, to assist in responding to requests for specific products and help with symptoms. Three useful mnemonics are given on which to base the consultation. The following nine chapters deal with common complaints detailing what one needs to know in order to assess the condition, when to refer the patient, and management options. Case studies that include the pharmacist’s, doctor’s and patient’s perspective are included. A final chapter on preventing heart disease and a comprehensive index complete the book.

The material is laid out clearly and is easy to assimilate in a busy community pharmacy.

There are just two criticisms. In an environment where evidence-based medicine is of paramount importance, the authors do not support any of their text with references or further reading. I should also have liked to see rather more on decision-making and risk analysis. Notwithstanding these comments, colleagues will definitely find this guide a prudent investment.


Steven Kayne (is a community pharmacist from Glasgow and chairman of the College of Pharmacy Practice in Scotland)