Use of pharmacists by older people in the community.

A random sample of community dwelling elderly people (> 65 years) was interviewed on two occasions, 6 months apart. Four hundred and thirty five completed both interviews. Subjects were asked about their medication, and about the advice sought from community pharmacists, on both drug and non-drug related health issues. Medication had been altered during the 6-month interval in 101 (23%) of people, but only 15 of these had discussed the change with a pharmacist. The majority of those who did discuss their medication, however, found the exchange helpful. Only 1% of the sample had discussed a health problem not related to drugs with a pharmacist in the previous month, although once again such discussions were felt to be useful. Of the total sample, 79% said they would never discuss medication-related issues with a community pharmacist, and 83% would not discuss other health matters. The majority of this sample - 96% - expressed a preference to discuss these issues with their general practitioner.