AIM: To elicit pharmacists' perceptions of medication management for people who have been prescribed medication for depression. METHOD: A questionnaire survey of 103 mainly community pharmacists was used. RESULTS: People frequently approached pharmacists for information about a range of issues concerning antidepressant medication. Although pharmacists were knowledgeable about all aspects of pharmacological interventions, many felt their location in the commercial sector inhibited the amount of assistance they could provide. Barriers to providing information were identified, and the paucity of pharmacists' links with primary care teams exposed. CONCLUSION: The survey supports other studies that have suggested pharmacists could provide considerable assistance in helping people to understand their medication and its benefits. There is also discussion of the ways in which the future role of pharmacists could be developed so that they collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals.
AIM: To elicit pharmacists' perceptions of medication management for people who have been prescribed medication for depression. METHOD: A questionnaire survey of 103 mainly community pharmacists was used. RESULTS:People frequently approached pharmacists for information about a range of issues concerning antidepressant medication. Although pharmacists were knowledgeable about all aspects of pharmacological interventions, many felt their location in the commercial sector inhibited the amount of assistance they could provide. Barriers to providing information were identified, and the paucity of pharmacists' links with primary care teams exposed. CONCLUSION: The survey supports other studies that have suggested pharmacists could provide considerable assistance in helping people to understand their medication and its benefits. There is also discussion of the ways in which the future role of pharmacists could be developed so that they collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals.