Oral counselling on dispensed medication : A survey of its extent and associated factors in a random sample of community pharmacies

To establish the current rate of oral counselling on dispensed medications, a random sample of 50 community pharmacists from the greater London area was selected. A non-participant observational method was used to obtain the required information. It was found that most pharmacist characteristics, including age, experience and employment status (proprietor, manager or locum) did not affect the rate of provision of oral counselling. However, the rate varied according to sex, with female pharmacists advising more patients. The rate of counselling was also influenced by the patient's age, the type of prescription (National Health Service or private), whether the prescription was a repeat or for new medication and the therapeutic category of the medicine. During the study, the collection of 1,472 prescription items was observed. Overall, counselling was provided for 39 per cent of patients. Counselling was given for around 70 per cent of new prescription items and for 20 per cent of repeat items.