Our results indicate that more than half of the respondents were aware of nonmedical prescribing. A higher proportion was more comfortable with prescribing by pharmacists and nurses than with other healthcare professionals. Several issues relating to aspects of clinical governance were highlighted, specifically education and data handling.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Pharmacists, along with certain other health professionals, may train and practice as supplementary or independent prescribers. The implementation and sustainability of pharmacist prescribing services throughout Britain will require a sizeable workforce. However, a survey of GB pharmacists highlighted that only a minority has taken any action to investigate prescribing training. Newly registered pharmacists may be keen to explore extended clinical roles and their engagement is likely to be key to the future success of this initiative. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Newly registered pharmacists are cautious in their approach to taking on prescribing training and roles. While almost all expressed interest in prescribing training, they acknowledged training needs in clinical examination, patient monitoring and medico‐legal aspects of prescribing. Longitudinal research on a cohort of newly registered pharmacist prescribers is warranted, aiming to identify later prescribing training actions and subsequent impact on patient care. AIM To investigate newly registered pharmacists' awareness of pharmacist prescribing and views on potential future roles as prescribers. METHODS A mailed questionnaire was sent to all 1658 pharmacists joining the Pharmacist Register in 2009. RESULTS The response rate was 25.2% (n= 418). While most (86.4%) expressed interest in prescribing training, they acknowledged training needs in clinical examination, patient monitoring and medico‐legal aspects of prescribing. Two thirds of respondents (66.3%) thought the current requirement of being registered as a pharmacist for 2 years prior to commencing prescribing training was appropriate. CONCLUSION Newly registered pharmacists are cautious in their approach to taking on prescribing training and roles.

What is already known about this subject • Medication‐related problems are more common among the elderly and are associated with poor outcomes. • Identification of elderly patients at high risk of medication misadventure and timely interventions could avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. What this study adds • Three‐quarters of elderly patients living in sheltered housing complexes had at least one risk factor for medication‐related problems. • Sheltered housing residents using five or more medications or using any medication with a narrow therapeutic index were more likely to have unplanned hospitalizations. • Use of medications with high potential for adverse drug reactions in the elderly or self‐reported non‐adherence to prescribed medications were not independent predictors of unplanned hospitalizations. Aim To identify risk factors for unplanned hospitalizations among residents of sheltered housing complexes (SHCs). Methods Medication‐related risk factors for health outcomes among residents of SHCs in Aberdeen (n = 1137) were assessed using a postal questionnaire. Predictors of unplanned hospitalization/emergency department (ED) visit were identified using logistic regression. Results Of the 695 (61.1%) responses received, 645 were from residents (mean age 78.2 years) using prescribed medications. One or more risk factors for medication‐related problems was seen in 467 (72.4%) respondents; 488 (75.7%) were using medications with high potential for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the elderly. Unplanned hospitalizations/ED visits (n = 230) were found to be associated with use of drugs of narrow therapeutic index [P < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69, 5.28]; use of five or more different medications (P = 0.001; OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.34, 3.31); and greater disability (Townsend score) (P = 0.005; OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02, 1.11). Conclusion Residents of SHCs using drugs of narrow therapeutic index, using five or more different medications, and with greater disability warrant periodic monitoring.

Over one-quarter of SHC residents were found to be nonadherent to prescribed drugs. Risk factors for nonadherence include younger age, confusion about drugs, lack of support for drug supply and administration, interference of treatment recommendations with lifestyle, and a perceived view of risks outweighing benefits in using recommended drug therapy.

Background Although there is evidence of suboptimal outcomes in older people with chronic pain, little emphasis has been placed on those in remote and rural settings. Objective To describe the perspectives of older people in the Scottish Highlands on their chronic pain management. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting NHS Highland, the most remote and rural geographical health board in Scotland. Subjects Home-dwelling members of the public aged ≥70 years. Methods Anonymised questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 1800 older people. Questionnaire items were demographics, nature of any chronic pain, management regimens and perceived effectiveness. Validated scales were the Pain Disability Questionnaire and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Results Adjusted response rate was 39.3% (709/1755). One-quarter (25.0%, n = 177) were experiencing chronic pain, being more likely to live in deprived areas (P &lt; 0.05). Median pain intensity was 6 (IQR 4–7, 10 high), causing distress (median 5, IQR 3–7). Respondents largely consulted GPs (66.1%, n = 117) with a minority (16.4%, n = 29) referred to a specialist pain clinic and few consulting other health professionals. Over three quarters (78.0%, n = 138) were receiving prescribed medicines, most commonly paracetamol, alone (35.6%, n = 63) or in combination with opioids (16.4%, n = 29). One-third (31.6%, n = 56) expressed a desire for more effective medicines; few reported using any non-pharmacological therapies. The median scores for the Pain Disability Questionnaire and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were 74 (IQR 34–104.5, 150 high) and 40 (IQR 35–45, 68 high). Conclusions Evidence of provision of appropriate integrated and person-centred chronic pain care is lacking.