10 October 2003
The public's reluctance to approach pharmacists for medical advice could stymie government plans to give high-street chemists a greater role in patient care, the Consumers' Association said this week.
Ministers believe pharmacists could take pressure off GPs and hospital accident and emergency departments by offering consultations. Some are expanding their roles by giving advice on health matters.
This week health minister Rosie Winterton urged pharmacists and other health care professionals to increase the number of drugs they prescribe without a doctor present.
But, in a survey, the Consumers' Association found that only 11% of pharmacy users had asked their pharmacist to diagnose a medical problem over the last two years.
By 2004, 1,000 pharmacists will be trained to prescribe a controlled list of medicines, including those not taken before by a patient, without the need to see a GP. While 60% of those surveyed supported the initiative, patients who regularly took medicines were less keen, with 41% disliking the idea.
Sue Freeman, acting editor of Health Which?, which conducted the survey, said: 'One of the biggest hurdles… is getting the consent of patients to allow pharmacists to access the medical records.'
PFoct2003
