Review of Utilisation of Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) by Community Pharmacists

Abstract

Review of utilisation of Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) by Community Pharmacists D. Hope1, L. Hattingh1, L. Allen1, N. Bakshi1, A. McCarron1 1Griffith University School of Pharmacy The delivery and utilisation of Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is a topical Australian pharmacy practice issue. In response to growing criticism of pharmacists' provision of CMI a study was conducted into the supply of CMI by Gold Coast community pharmacists to address the facilitators, barriers and influence of incentive payments on the provision of CMI. The January 2009 survey of 107 pharmacies achieved a response rate of 63% (n=67). Barriers to the provision of CMI were identified, including Irrelevance of CMI to the Patient (45%; n=30) and Concern of CMI Resulting in Patient Non-Compliance (66%; n=44). Situations where CMI is most often provided to the patient were addressed, with the most likely circumstances being identified as New Drug Therapy (52%; n=35), Supply of High-Risk Drugs (43%; n=28) and Medicines with Variable Dosing (39%; n=25). The most important facilitators to CMI provision, as indicated by 97% (n=65) of respondents were Easy Access to the CMI and Familiarity with Situations when it is Appropriate to Supply CMI. The majority of respondents (70%; n=47) indicated that incentive payments for CMI supply with PBS prescriptions made no difference to the frequency of supply of CMI. Discrepancies between best and actual practice for provision of CMI were identified, with respondents indicating varying levels of understanding of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) best practice guidelines for CMI provision. This study provided valuable insight into the issuing of CMI and indicated that pharmacists reserve the right to use professional judgement regarding when to supply CMI to patients.