Collaborative Prescribing: Views of SHPA Pharmacist Members

Abstract

Aim:To explore the views of SHPA pharmacist members on collaborative prescribing and the extent of de facto prescribing at their institutions. Method: 1367 SHPA pharmacist members were invited by mail to complete a 4-page questionnaire on current and future issues pertaining to collaborative prescribing. Results: 551 pharmacist members responded (40% response rate) to the survey. 509 (95%) respondents observed that a collaborative prescribing role could circumvent hospital delays with timely service delivery during the admission, inpatient, discharge and outpatient process. De facto prescribing was undertaken by 141 (37%) pharmacists across the range of drug schedules and practice settings. If a legal and credentialling framework existed, 406 (75%) pharmacists would consider becoming a 'prescribing pharmacist' in a specialised clinical area, while 81 (15%) were undecided and 57 (11%) would not consider the option. Conclusion: SHPA pharmacist members strongly supported the development of collaborative prescribing as a means to improve patient outcomes, professional activities and standing, and hospital systems. Hospital pharmacists are undertaking a range of de facto prescribing activities. J Pharm Pract Res 2008; 38: 271-5.

An expanded prescribing role for pharmacists – an Australian perspective

“…33,41 Both pharmacists' and pharmacy clients' views are in accordance in terms of key issues surrounding the issue of expanded pharmacist prescribing. 10,34,41 Pharmacists and pharmacy clients have indicated support for pharmacists having an expanded role in prescribing and both groups indicated strongest support for a prescribing model in which doctors retained their primary role in diagnosis, that is, a supplementary prescribing model. In both groups, supplementary and independent prescribing models were positive predictors of pharmacist prescribing with a supplementary model being a stronger predictor.…”

“…1,6,8,10,27 The available literature on expanded pharmacist prescribing in Australia has indicated strong support by the pharmacy profession for this role. Additionally, Australian studies have also suggested that one of the key stakeholders (i.e.…”

“…A survey of a large number of hospital pharmacists in Australia found that development of a collaborative prescribing model would be well supported and could improve hospital services by their provision in a more timely manner. 10 According to these authors, hospital pharmacists indicated support for prescribing within their competency with most pharmacists considering prescribing in a specialised clinical area. 10 Another recent study in Australia piloted a UK non-medical prescribing course and also evaluated Australian hospital pharmacists' views on nonmedical prescribing.…”

“…10 According to these authors, hospital pharmacists indicated support for prescribing within their competency with most pharmacists considering prescribing in a specialised clinical area. 10 Another recent study in Australia piloted a UK non-medical prescribing course and also evaluated Australian hospital pharmacists' views on nonmedical prescribing. 32 These authors reported some positive and negative themes regarding training experiences of their participants.…”

“…8,9 Findings of an Australian study also confirmed this, by indicating that de facto prescribing was undertaken by 37% of their study participants who were hospital pharmacists. 10 Potential benefits of expanded pharmacist prescribing have included: improvement of patient care, improved access to medication, optimisation of medication management and better resource utilization. 1,6,11 Evidence from the recent introduction of pharmacist prescribing in the United Kingdom (UK) has suggested improved patient management.…”