These findings could inform the design of interventions to improve uptake of HMRs by residents and health professionals, in turn leading to better medicine use and safety. “
“Objectives The impact of over-the-counter (OTC) availability of chloramphenicol eye drops and eye ointment was investigated on the prescribing and overall supply of ophthalmic chloramphenicol in primary care. Methods Primary care prescription data STAT inhibitor for ophthalmic chloramphenicol and ophthalmic
antibacterials in England and Wales were analysed from December 2003 (month 1) to September 2008 (month 58). OTC data were analysed from June 2005 when the first OTC product was launched (months 19 to 58). Key findings In the 40 months following reclassification
more than 2.9 million packs (53.9 per 1000 population) of chloramphenicol were sold in England and 152 024 (51.7 per 1000 population) in Wales. In the 12 months to September 2008 sales of the drops and ointment were 67 and 40% of their respective prescription volumes in England. In Wales sales of drops were 52% and ointment 26% of their respective prescription volumes. The number EPZ015666 chemical structure of chloramphenicol packs sold was 2.2 times greater than the calculated reduction in ophthalmic antibacterial prescription items in England and 2.9 times greater than the reduction seen in Wales. Conclusion Following the reclassification of chloramphenicol there have been significant increases in the supply of the ophthalmic antibacterials in both England and Wales. “
“Objectives To explore factors associated with Scottish pharmacists’ views and attitudes to continuing professional development (CPD). Methods A retrospective principal component analysis of 552 (22.8%) questionnaires returned from a sample of 2420 Scottish pharmacists randomly selected from the 4300 pharmacists registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and with a
Scottish address. Key findings Principal about component analysis of questionnaire items (n = 19) revealed four factors associated with Scottish pharmacists’ views and attitudes to CPD: having positive support in the workplace, having access to resources and meeting learning needs, having confidence in the CPD process and motivation to participate in the CPD process. Community pharmacists were identified as the subgroup of pharmacists that needed most support for CPD regarding all four factors, while pharmacists working in primary care felt that they had most support in the workplace in comparison to other sectors (P < 0.05) and better access to resources and meeting learning needs when compared to community (P < 0.001) and hospital (P = 0.008) colleagues. Pharmacists working in primary care also felt more motivated to participate in the CPD process than those in the community (P < 0.001), and hospital pharmacists reported having more confidence in the CPD process compared to community pharmacists (P < 0.05).