Int J Pharm Pract 1997;5:26-32

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, England M13 9PL
J. A. Cantrill, MSc, MRPharmS, clinical senior lecturer
M. C. Weiss, PhD, MRPharmS, lecturer
M. Kishida, BPharm, MSc student
M. Nicolson, MSc, MRPharmS, honorary clinical lecturer

Correspondence: Ms Cantrill

Original Papers

Pharmacists' perceptions and experiences of pharmacy protocols: a step in the right direction?

J. A. CANTRILL, M. C. WEISS, M. KISHIDA and M. NICOLSON

A postal questionnaire to 300 pharmacists in Lancashire, investigating community pharmacists' perceptions of the usefulness of medicine sales protocols, was completed by 138 (46 per cent). Almost all of the respondents (96 per cent) stated that they used protocols in their place of work. Of the 95 respondents who indicated the frequency with which customers were unwilling to answer questions, 94 per cent stated this frequency was at least one in every 10 customers. Examples of customers who were sometimes unwilling to answer questions included some who had used the medicine previously, some with a condition of a sensitive nature and some purchasing on behalf of a third party. Although the majority of respondents were positive towards the impact and future development of protocols, 37 felt protocols required modification and greater flexibility. Comments suggested that protocols could both enhance the professional image of pharmacy and be professionally restrictive. Protocols should be developed which reflect both the patient, as well as the professional, perspective.