Expanding role of the community pharmacist through an over-the-counter point-of-care service

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this prospective study was to assess the role pharmacists play on the selection of nonprescription medications during a point-of-care consultation. The secondary objective was to assess patients' knowledge on the specific nonprescription medication. Community pharmacists have a responsibility to evolve in their role as health care professionals to improve their patients' overall health status. Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, the pointof- care service occurred in two community pharmacies within the same chain in Massachusetts from January 2014 to May 2014. Patients found in the front of the store viewing any nonprescription medication including over-the-counter (OTC) products, herbal products, and dietary supplements, and patients who presented themselves to the patient consultation room, or drop-off, pick-up, and pharmacy consultation windows at the pharmacy were included in this study. Pharmacists offered OTC point-of-care consultations detailing patient-specific information, point-of-care interventions, intended versus recommended pur-chase, and knowledge assessments of selected OTC products. Patients also were provided an optional follow-up service via telephone during which adherence, symptomatic relief, and service satisfaction were assessed. Results: The use of t test and chi2 test were used to assess differences in continuous variables and proportions, respectively. These results were included in the study's descriptive analysis. Of the patients recruited, 100% (n = 82) accepted the pharmacist's recommendation, which included purchasing a nonprescription product or physician referral. Of the patients with an intended purchase (n = 55), 65.5% (n = 36) selected inappropriate therapy and changed their intended purchase to the pharmacist's recommended product. Furthermore, 56.4% (n = 31) had no knowledge of the intended product selected prior to consultation. Of the 56 patients who accepted the optional follow-up service, 57.1% (n = 32) of patients completed the service with positive feedback. Conclusion: Results of this study promote the expansion of the role of a pharmacist in community settings and show that this expanded role can improve nonprescription outcomes and prevent adverse events.