The prevalence of other alarm symptoms were as follows: 52 cases of indigestion lasting longer than 3 weeks or have not been relieved by over-the-counter medicines; 21 cases of blood in stools or diarrhoea lasting longer than 3 weeks; 19 cases of haematuria, 12 cases of unintentional weight loss; 11 cases of dysphagia; 13 cases of rectal bleeding; 8 cases of breast lumps; and 9 cases of haemoptysis. Patients with white British ethnic
origin were most likely to present. Over 60% of patients presenting were female and the most common age range was 55 to 64 years. Our results show that patients with alarm symptoms do present at the community pharmacy looking for healthcare advice click here and/or something to manage their symptoms. The most common alarm symptom was a cough lasting longer than 3 weeks; this can be associated Fluorouracil with lung cancer.[1] Indeed, as lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, it is imperative to detect this it as soon as possible in order to improve treatment outcomes and patient survival. This has also been recently publicized by the recent national public health campaign Be Clear on Cancer,[2] urging anyone with a cough lasting for 3 or more weeks to visit their GP for further tests. There is, therefore, potential to develop an intervention to promote early cancer detection
– with a possible focus on lung cancer – in the community pharmacy. 1. Early detection of lung cancer. A guide to delivering brief interventions. Available at: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/prod_consump/groups/cr_common/@nre/@hea/documents/generalcontent/cr_043916.pdf [accessed 13.04.14] 2. Be Clear on Cancer: lung cancer campaign. Available at: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/spotcancerearly/naedi/beclearoncancer/lung/ [accessed 13.04.14] H. Kinseya, S. Scahillb, L. Byec, J. Harrisonc aUniversity of Nottingham, Nottingham,
UK, bMassey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, cUniversity of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand The new pharmacy contract in New Zealand aims to provide a more patient-centred model of care. Pharmacists supported the concept of a more patient-centred agreement. Pharmacists reported difficulties understanding the contract and concerns regarding an increase in their workload. A new community pharmacy contract known as the Community Pharmacy Services Agreement Pyruvate dehydrogenase (CPSA) was introduced in New Zealand (NZ) in July 2012. The agreement introduces a mixed fee-for-service and capitation payment funding model covering three areas of pharmacy services: a Core Service, a Long-Term Conditions Service (LTC) and Specific Services. This study aims to explore the views of community pharmacists in NZ to the CPSA 18 months after its implementation. This qualitative study used a semi-structured interview comprised of twelve topics for discussion. A purposive sampling approach drew participants from a matrix designed to ensure a maximum variation sample.