Hospital Pharmacist
Vol 10 No 5 p190
May 2003

News summary

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Hospital pharmacists could help community colleagues

Hospital pharmacists could help alleviate some of the problems FP10(HP)'s caused in the community, according to preliminary research presented by Mike Wilcock, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro. In particular, they could be a contact point for community pharmacists trying to query FP10(HP) prescriptions. Community pharmacists often find it difficult to contact hospital-based prescribers when the doctor's signature is unclear.

Hospital pharmacists might also be able to clear up queries without the need to contact the prescriber because they are aware of the idiosyncrasies in the prescribing of particular hospital doctors or particular specialties.

An example of this given by Mr Wilcock was when a community pharmacist queried a FP10(HP) for betnovate scalp application to be used in the ear. It turned out that this use for the product was well known to the hospital pharmacists familiar with the prescribing patterns of the ear nose and throat doctor involved.

Other strategies for reducing problems in the community suggested by Mr Wilcock include better training for hospital doctors in how to write FP10(HP)s.

Final results from Mr Wilcock's project, which was carried out with colleague Ros McLaughlin, and which won the 2002 joint National Pharmaceutical Association/Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists award, will be presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Harrogate in September.

The presentation of the interim results was part of the launch for the 2003 awards, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Details of how to enter for 2003 can be found at here or www.npa.co.uk or by telephoning MSD on 01992 452370.