INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Community-Based Pharmacists’ Perspectives on Prescribing Authority for the Minor Ailments and Contraceptive Service in British Columbia

Karen Dahri

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia

Yiu-Ching Jennifer Wong

University of British Columbia and St. Paul's Hospital, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services

Peter Loewen

University of British Columbia

Jiven Basi

University of British Columbia

Sohail Sidhu

University of British Columbia

Parkash Ragsdale

University of British Columbia

Arden Barry

University of British Columbia and Jim Pattison Outpatient Center, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services

Rob Pammett

University of British Columbia and Northern Health

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v15i3.6230

Keywords: Pharmacy Practice, Prescribing, Legislation

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Abstract

Background 

Recent changes to legislation in British Columbia (BC) have expanded the scope of pharmacist-provided services to include pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments and contraception (PPMAC). The purpose of this study was to gather community-based pharmacists’ perspectives on these changes to practice.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional online survey study. The study population was pharmacists practicing in community settings in BC. A 28-question survey was developed to capture the uptake of prescribing in the pharmacists’ practices, their views on PPMAC, educational supports, and workplace-specific questions. Invitations to participate were disseminated by using fax, social media platform posts, and email.

Results

A total of 246 participants completed all or part of the survey. A majority felt they should be able to assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception, and were satisfied with the regulatory changes. Pharmacists had varying degrees of comfort with prescribing for specific patient populations, with the highest for patients >75 years of age and lowest for patients with renal disease. Respondents felt that patients who were without a primary care provider or did not have easy access to walk-in clinics would benefit the most from PPMAC. Pharmacists expressed concerns about their workplace’s level of support for their providing these new services to patients.

Discussion

Most pharmacist respondents were supportive of and have begun prescribing for minor ailments and contraception in their practices. While they identified many perceived benefits to patient care, workplace barriers may hinder full provision of pharmacist prescribing in their practice.