Community pharmacists' attitudes towards, and experiences of, providing medication reviews after hospital discharge: a questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the attitudes and experiences of community pharmacists providing medicines-use review (MUR) and post-discharge medicines-use review (PD-MUR) services. METHODS: An online survey for community pharmacists who had experience providing the MUR service. KEY FINDINGS: In total, 495 community pharmacists responded to the survey. A total of 89% (n = 382) of community pharmacists wanted to receive the patient's full discharge summary and 79% (n = 363) preferred electronic communication. Community pharmacists thought they could build trusted relationships with patients and felt that patients were willing to discuss post-discharge medicines-related issues with them. Less experienced pharmacists conducted more MURs than more experienced pharmacists (P = 0.004), and pharmacists working in large multiples (>50 pharmacies) conducted more MURs than those working in independent pharmacies (<5 pharmacies) (P = 0.001). Community pharmacists working in independent pharmacies conducted more PD-MURs than those working in large multiples (P = 0.004). Community pharmacists working in rural areas also thought they were best placed to provide PD-MURs while those working in urban areas thought that practice pharmacists were best suited to provide this service (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists believe they have a vital role in supporting patients after hospital discharge. They can build long-lasting, trusted relationships with patients and patients are willing to discuss medication issues with them. By providing community pharmacists in all locations with timely access to accurate discharge information, they could use their knowledge and skills to better support patients after hospital discharge.

Quantitative HPLC analysis of mebeverine, mesalazine, sulphasalazine and dispersible aspirin stored in a Venalink monitored dosage system with co-prescribed medicines.

An HPLC method for the quantitative analysis of mebeverine HCl, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), sulphasalazine and dispersible aspirin has been developed and then applied to these specific medicines when stored, with other medications, in Venalink blister packs (monitored dosage system) for periods of up to 35 days. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C(12) column with an isocratic mixture of methanol, water and acetic acid as the mobile phase. The method was validated regarding: accuracy, precision, detection limits, quantification limits, specificity and robustness.