The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7460 p44-45
14 July 2007

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• White Paper
• Pfizer (2)
• Supervision (2)
• Community pharmacy (2)
• Antimicrobials
• Dispensing errors
• Recalls
• Onlooker
• CPPE
• Recycling
• Retention fee

Letters to the Editor

Antimicrobials

Pharmacist prescribing of antimicrobials in secondary care

From Mrs A. Tonna, MRPharmS

I read with interest the letter from Paul Long (PJ, 30 June, p733) in which he expresses his concern regarding the inappropriate use of antimicrobials and the possible global consequences of this. I agree that there is a lack of evidence showing the impact of pharmacist-led interventions in the area, with most studies referring to practice outside the UK, as have been also concluded by a number of systematic reviews.¹

The introduction of pharmacist supplementary and independent prescribing in the UK is likely to provide opportunities and challenges for pharmacists to help ensure prudent use of antimicrobials. It is likely that these opportunities would not be limited to the specialist microbiology (also referred to as “antibiotic” and “infectious disease”) pharmacist but would be a role for all ward-based clinical pharmacists.

An ongoing research project is exploring practising pharmacists’ views and perceptions of both pharmacist supplementary and independent prescribing of antimicrobials in secondary care. This qualitative study is making use of focus-group discussions in different secondary care settings throughout Scotland.

The extent to which pharmacist prescribers are using their prescribing skills varies greatly between hospitals. Some pharmacists report prescribing regularly, and others are not yet prescribing due to a lack of a hospital policy for non-medical prescribing. Preliminary analysis of transcripts has indicated that pharmacists think that they have a good knowledge base to prescribe and manage antimicrobial treatment, identifying possible opportunities for intervention, and are willing to take on prescribing roles, provided that an initial diagnosis has been made.

They have also highlighted barriers to both pharmacist supplementary and independent prescribing of antimicrobials. More detailed analysis of results is currently under way and will be presented at the next British Pharmaceutical Conference in September 2007.

Antonella Tonna
School of Pharmacy
The Robert Gordon University
Aberdeen

References

1. Davey P, Brown E, Fenelon L, Finch R, Gould I, Hartman G, et al. Interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing practices for hospital inpatients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003543. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD003543.pub2.

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