The pharmacist as a provider of primary care.

A survey was undertaken to document the primary health care role of the pharmacist in London, Ont. Of particular interest was the volume of primary contacts, the type of problem handled and the advice given by the pharmacist. The contribution of pharmacists in primary health care was found to be large, with neighbourhood pharmacies being the most active. Eighty percent of all problems were handled by recommending an over-the-counter drug. The pharmacist appears to be comfortable in this function, although a conflict may exist between his professional and merchant roles.