OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a scheme offering pharmacy referrals for minor ailments in a refugee community. To determine if minor ailments could be managed by pharmacists offering over-the-counter (OTC) medication, free of charge, to refugees exempt from prescription charges. DESIGN: Refugees presenting with minor illnesses were offered a voucher. This voucher could be taken to the pharmacist, who, after a consultation, could exchange the voucher for appropriate OTC medication. SETTING: A refugee community in south London. OUTCOME MEASURES: The presenting minor ailment and corresponding medication as recorded by the pharmacist. RESULTS: A total of 200 vouchers were distributed to 184 refugees over a 5-month period resulting in the dispensing of 264 items. The five most frequent minor ailments were: upper respiratory tract infections (37%), headache (14%), musculo-skeletal pains (7%), allergy including hay fever (6%), indigestion (6%). The five most frequently dispensed items were: paracetamol (28%), sudafed (16%), ibuprofen (11%), aspirin (10%) and simple linctus (8%). Only two clients were referred directly to the GP and two advised to attend if symptoms persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Minor ailment schemes elsewhere have demonstrated the potential to divert about one-third of patients with minor illnesses out of general practice and to care in the pharmacy. Such a scheme is being widely adopted in Scotland this year. Our results are the first to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of such a scheme in the refugee community.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a scheme offering pharmacy referrals for minor ailments in a refugee community. To determine if minor ailments could be managed by pharmacists offering over-the-counter (OTC) medication, free of charge, to refugees exempt from prescription charges. DESIGN: Refugees presenting with minor illnesses were offered a voucher. This voucher could be taken to the pharmacist, who, after a consultation, could exchange the voucher for appropriate OTC medication. SETTING: A refugee community in south London. OUTCOME MEASURES: The presenting minor ailment and corresponding medication as recorded by the pharmacist. RESULTS: A total of 200 vouchers were distributed to 184 refugees over a 5-month period resulting in the dispensing of 264 items. The five most frequent minor ailments were: upper respiratory tract infections (37%), headache (14%), musculo-skeletal pains (7%), allergy including hay fever (6%), indigestion (6%). The five most frequently dispensed items were: paracetamol (28%), sudafed (16%), ibuprofen (11%), aspirin (10%) and simple linctus (8%). Only two clients were referred directly to the GP and two advised to attend if symptoms persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Minor ailment schemes elsewhere have demonstrated the potential to divert about one-third of patients with minor illnesses out of general practice and to care in the pharmacy. Such a scheme is being widely adopted in Scotland this year. Our results are the first to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of such a scheme in the refugee community.
Authors: Omar Salem Gammouh; Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi; Loai Issa Tawalbeh; Laurice Sami Khoury Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2015-01-29 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Alaa M Hammad; Walid Al-Qerem; Fawaz Alasmari; Jonathan Ling; Raghda Qarqaz; Hakam Alaqabani Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-12 Impact factor: 4.614