IJPP 2003, 11: 97-104
© 2003 Int J Pharm Pract
DOI 10.1211/002235702801
ISSN 0961-7671


Department of Social Pharmacy, Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
C. A. W. Rijcken, research pharmacist
L. T. W. de Jong-van den Berg, professor of pharmacoepidemiology
H. van der Veur, MSc in pharmacy

Department of Psychiatry, Academic Hospital, Groningen
H. Knegtering, psychiatrist

Correspondence:
Professor Lolkje de Jong-van den Berg, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
E-mail: l.t.w.de.jong-van.den.berg@farm.rug.nl

Original Papers

Schizophrenia care and the Dutch community pharmacy: the unmet needs

C. A. W. Rijcken, H. van der Veur, H. Knegtering and L. T. W. de Jong-van den Berg

Abstract
Background Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disease with a prevalence of 0.6% both worldwide and in the Netherlands. Without proper treatment, schizophrenia will be increasingly incapacitating for up to 70% of patients. Management consists of drug treatment and education and can include cognitive therapy. Information about antipsychotic drugs and the importance of treatment compliance are most often given to the patient by the treating psychiatrist.

Objective To investigate the role of the Dutch community pharmacist in schizophrenia care.

Method Structured postal questionnaires to patients and relatives — 250 members of Anoiksis, a Dutch patients’ association for people suffering from psychotic illnesses and 250 members of Ypsilon, a Dutch support network for relatives of patients suffering from schizophrenia or psychosis. Face to face, semi-structured interviews with 25 community pharmacists randomly selected from different parts of the Netherlands.

Key findings Patients and their relatives were unaware of the possible information-giving and support roles of the community pharmacist. More than 60% of patients and relatives agreed that they would have liked to receive more information about drug treatment. Two-thirds of patients and relatives thought that an active reminder to collect refill medication would be a valuable service. However, the community pharmacists were unaware of patients’ unmet needs and of the support they could offer to patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusion Patients and their relatives have needs for medication information and support that are not currently being met. Dutch community pharmacists do not currently perceive that they have a contribution to make to the care of patients with schizophrenia. As the first stage in developing future community pharmacy services, the findings of this study should be disseminated to pharmacists.