Establishment, Implementation, and Consolidation of Clinical Pharmacy Services in Community Pharmacies: Perceptions of a Group of Pharmacists.

When pharmacists incorporate clinical practice into their routine, barriers and facilitators influence the implementation of patient care services. Three focus groups were conducted with 11 pharmacists who were working for the Farmácia Popular do Brasil program on the establishment, implementation, and consolidation of clinical pharmacy services. The perception of the pharmacists in Brazil about the program was that it facilitated access to health care and medication. The distance between neighboring cities made it difficult for patients to return for services. Lack of staff training created a lack of communication skills and knowledge. The pharmacists wanted to have increased technical support, skill development opportunities, and monitoring of researchers who assessed progress of the service. Pharmacists overcame many of their insecurities and felt more proactive and committed to quality service. Positive experiences in service implementations have shown that it is possible to develop a model of clinical services in community pharmacies.

Percepções de idosas quanto a não adesão a farmacoterapia: uma análise qualitativa / Perception of elderly for non-adherence to drug therapy: a qualitative analysis

As percepções do usuário sobre seus medicamentos devem ser compreendidas, visto que reflete os aspectos positivos e negativos que o mesmo vivencia ou vivenciou durante a sua farmacoterapia. Assim, o presente estudo visou identificar a percepção das idosas associados a não adesão à farmacoterapia prescrita, no Programa de Assistência Integral à Melhor Idade. Para tanto, foi realizada entrevista audiogravada, com duração média de cinco minutos e realizada análise de conteúdo. Para a análise dos dados, procedeu-se à ordenação das falas. Partes do material foram codificadas e organizadas em unidades de significação. O esquecimento, a falta ou incompletude de informação médica ou não entendimento das instruções profissionais repassadas e acesso aos medicamentos foram apontados pelas pacientes como motivos de baixo grau de adesão. Diante dos relatos apresentados, recomenda-se maior cuidado no desenvolvimento e pesquisa de dispositivos de adesão à farmacoterapia a partir do relato dos pacientes, aprofundando-se na essência e na compreensão tácita das suas falas.

The user's perceptions about their medications should be understood, since it reflects the positive and negative aspects that the sameone has experienced during their pharmacotherapy. Thus, this study aimed to identify the perception of the elderly associated with non-adherence to prescribed pharmacotherapy, in the Integral Assistance Program to the Golden Age. To do so, the interviews were recorded in audio, with an average duration of five minutes and content analysis. For data analysis, we proceeded to the ordination of speeches. Parts of the material were coded and organized into meaning units. Forgetfulness, the lack or incompleteness of medical information or not understanding of passed professional instruction and access to medicines were mentioned by patients as reasons for low level of compliance. Given the reports presented, it is recommended greater care in the development and research of adherence to pharmacotherapy devices from patients reports, deepening the essence and the tacit understanding of their speeches.

Using a virtual patient system for the teaching of pharmaceutical care.

PURPOSE: The communication skills of pharmacists are essential for the identification and reduction of patient́s drug related problems. Therefore, Pharmacy courses started the process of teaching Pharmaceutical Care to students in order to improve their communication skills. The use of virtual patients (VP) has been a widely used technique in health care courses, but many of the VP tools in Pharmacy field are in English and do not have clinical cases that are common in tropical countries, such as Brazil. The aim of this work is to describe the PharmaVP system, developed with the purpose of training Latin America students in Pharmaceutical Care. The main differential of PharmaVP is the availability in three languages (Portuguese, English and Spanish) and the possibility of clinical case evolution, simulating several visits made by the patient. METHODS: The system was developed according to an incremental and interactive methodology, well suited for conducting multidisciplinary projects. Real clinical cases were collected from a Pharmaceutical Care program and added in PharmaVP to simulate the virtual patients. Then, 31 students of a Pharmacy course were trained and invited to participate of the evaluation study. They used the software and answered adapted instruments that assess the students' acceptance of, use of, learning of, and satisfaction with the system. RESULTS: The results showed that the students found the cases realistic and learned significantly using the software. Another positive point is that the application process of PharmaVP did not consume much time. DISCUSSION: We can conclude that the virtual patient tool contributed to the development of the skills required for the practice of Pharmaceutical Care, but should be used as complementary technique.

Avaliação de indicadores de estrutura e processo de um serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica na Farmácia Popular do Brasil: um estudo piloto / Evaluation of structure and process indicators at a pharmaceutical care service of a drugstore chain in Brazil: a pilot study

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os indicadores de estrutura e processo empregados na implantação do serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica na rede Farmácia Popular do Brasil. Para tanto, um estudo piloto descritivo e avaliativo foi conduzido em novembro de 2009 em uma filial da rede Farmácia Popular do Brasil em Aracaju-SE. Os indicadores de estrutura e de processo foram avaliados por meio da aplicação da versão modificada do instrumento Behavioural Pharmaceutical Care Scale. Esta ferramenta foi composta de 34 itens distribuídos em 14 domínios, com escore mínimo de 16 e máximo de 175 pontos. Cada domínio foi avaliado por duas farmacêuticas-pesquisadoras (autorelato) e por dois farmacêuticos-auditores (observação direta). A pontuação média geral dos avaliadores foi de 144,25 ± 6,75, com variação de 138 a 153 pontos. Todos os domínios relacionados à estrutura do serviço e a maioria do processo apresentaram escores elevados (≥ 80%). As principais falhas foram detectadas no domínio referência a outros profissionais de saúde (56,3%), sobretudo, no encaminhamento a outros farmacêuticos 1,00 ± 0,00 (0,0%) e no envio de cartas ao médico 1,50 ± 0,58 (12,5%). Os resultados apontam que estrutura e processo empregados neste estudo piloto mostraram-se satisfatórios, indicando o potencial do serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica adotado para contribuir na elaboração de um modelo de implantação deste serviço para a rede Farmácia Popular do Brasil. No entanto mais estudos são necessários.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate indicators of the structure and process used in the implantation of a pharmaceutical care service of the drugstore chain People’s Pharmacy of Brazil. A descriptive, evaluative study was conducted in November 2009 at a branch of the People’s Pharmacy of Brazil in the city of Aracaju (state of Sergipe). Structure and process indicators were evaluated by applying the modified version of the Behavioral Pharmaceutical Care Scale, which is composed of 34 items divided among 14 subscales, the score of which ranges from 16 to 175 points. Evaluations were performed by two pharmacist researchers (self-reports) and two pharmacist auditors (direct observations). The overall mean score attributed by the evaluators was 144.25 ± 6.75 (range: 138 to 153). All subscales related to the structure of the service and most of the subscales related to the process achieved high scores (≥ 80%). The main flaws regarded referrals and consultations with other health professionals (56.3%), especially referrals to other pharmacists (1.00 ± 0.00; 0.0%) and sending letters to doctors (1.50 ± 0.58; 12.5%). The findings of this pilot study demonstrate satisfactory structure and process, indicating the potential of the pharmaceutical care service to contribute to the development of a model for the deployment of this service to other branches of the People’s Pharmacy of Brazil. However, further studies are needed.

Perfil Farmacoterapêutico de um Grupo de Idosos assistidos por um programa de Atenção Farmacêutica na Farmácia Popular do Brasil no município de Aracaju ? SE / Pharmacotherapeutic profile of a Group of Elderly assisted by a pharmaceutical care program in Brazil People?s Pharmacy in the city of Aracaju ? SE, Brazil

O avanço do envelhecimento da população brasileira está causando uma alteração do perfil epidemiológico, que passou a apresentar uma maior prevalência de condições crônicas de saúde. Tais condições exigem acompanhamento constante da farmacoterapia pelos profissionais de saúde. Isso implica no aumento do uso de medicamentos, tornando os idosos mais suscetíveis aos riscos de polifarmácia e de problemas relacionados à farmacoterapia. Nesse contexto, é necessário implantar estratégias efetivas focadas no paciente que visem à redução da morbimortalidade relacionada aos medicamentos, tais como a Atenção Farmacêutica. O presente estudo visou compreender o perfil de uso dos medicamentos em idosos assistidos por um programa de Atenção Farmacêutica na Farmácia Popular do Brasil no município de Aracaju- SE. Os dados referentes ao perfil farmacoterapêutico foram coletados a partir das informações levantadas de 68 pacientes idosos com hipertensão e/ou diabetes. O consumo total de medicamentos foi de 383 com média de 5,63 (DP= 2,50), a polifarmácia esteve presente em 63,2% dos pacientes (n= 43). Os medicamentos mais consumidos pertenciam ao grupo anatômico que age no sistema cardiovascular (46,9%, n= 180) e no trato alimentar (31,1%, n= 119). No estudo foram observadas 152 interações em 53 pacientes (77,95%), 19 casos de medicamentos inadequados (4,9%), e 35 (9,5%) interações fármaco- alimento. Esses resultados sugerem o aprimoramento das prescrições e avaliação constante da qualidade da farmacoterapia de modo a promover o uso racional de medicamentos nesta faixa etária.

The advancement aging of the population is causing a change in the epidemiological profile, which presented a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. Such conditions require constant monitoring of pharmacotherapy for health professionals. This entails increased use of drugs, making the elderly more susceptible to the risks of polypharmacy and problems related to pharmacotherapy. In this context, it is necessary to implement effective strategies focused on the patient aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality related to drugs, such as pharmaceutical care. This study examines the usage profile of drugs in elderly patients assisted by a program of pharmaceutical care in the People?s Pharmacy of Brazil in the city of Aracaju-SE. The data on drugs prescribed were collected from the information collected from 68 elderly patients with hypertension and / or diabetes. The total consumption of medicines was 383 with an average of 5.63 (SD = 2.50), polypharmacy was present in 63.2% of patients (n = 43). The most used drugs belonged to the anatomical acting on the cardiovascular system (46.9%, n = 180) and in the alimentary tract (31.1%, n = 119). In the study 152 interactions were observed in 53 patients (77.95%), 19 cases of inappropriate drugs (4.9%) and 35 (9.5%) drug-food interactions. These results suggest the improvement of the requirements and ongoing assessment of the quality of pharmacotherapy in order to promote rational drug use in this age group.

Pharmaceutical care program for elderly patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a pilot pharmaceutical care program developed for elderly patients with uncontrolled hypertension. METHODS: Nonrandomized single intervention pre/posttest blood pressure study in a community pharmacy in Aracaju, Brazil. This study enrolled elderly patients diagnosed with essential hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure. Monthly visits were scheduled during a 10-month period. Pharmaceutical interventions were focused on health education and monitoring of drug-related problems. Primary outcomes included target blood pressure control, reduction in blood pressure, pulse pressure, medication adherence, and reduction of anthropometric indices. RESULTS: 35 of 51 patients completed the study. After 10 months of intervention, 57.2% of elderly patients achieved blood pressure control (P = 0.000) and the mean reduction was 26.6 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) for systolic blood pressure, 10.4 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) for diastolic blood pressure, and 15.7 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) for pulse pressure. Medication adherence also improved (P = 0.0000); however, anthropometric indices remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The pharmaceutical care program improved outcomes by reducing and controlling blood pressure and improving medication adherence among elderly patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Pharmaceutical care in hypertensive patients: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Since the conception of pharmaceutical care in 1990, many studies have been published purported to implement and/or evaluate interventions under this aegis; however, most have been criticized in methodological approach. As such, there is a need to assess the scientific rigor of the published studies and examine the biases that may compromise the hardiness of their findings. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to describe and appraise published research on the management of patients diagnosed with essential hypertension under the guise of pharmaceutical care. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and LILACS databases from January 1990 to July 2011 were searched using the keywords "pharmaceutical care," "hypertension," and "blood pressure." Included were clinical trials assessing the impact of pharmaceutical care on outcomes for hypertensive patients. Two independent reviewers abstracted data on descriptive characteristics, research design and outcomes, and study limitations. RESULTS: The literature search identified 917 articles, of which 16 satisfied the inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted primarily in North America (8) and in ambulatory settings (9). Sample sizes ranged from 24 to 235 patients, with most studies reporting a 6-month patient follow-up period. Many studies (9) were randomized clinical trials but generally had a low-quality methods score according to the Jadad scale. Blood pressure (BP) (15), medication adherence (11), and quality of life (9) were the most common outcome measures. As expected, systolic BP was the outcome most positively impacted by the pharmaceutical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This database search revealed that most of the included studies evaluated the impact of pharmaceutical care on clinical and humanistic outcomes and few studies showed statistically significant improvement in BP. However, a lack of hardiness and many important limitations were common in the studies analyzed. As such, recommendations are made to improve in research design and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention.

[Medication leaflets used by elderly with hypertension: adequacy of information for sanitary regulation and possible implications for health]. / Bulas de medicamentos usados por idosos com hipertensão: adequação da informação à regulamentação sanitária e possíveis implicações para a saúde.

The medication leaflets represent the main source of written information supplied to the patients, in special to the elderly. This study aimed to analyze the content of the leaflets of drugs often prescribed for elderly people with hypertension, as well as their adequacy to the sanitary regulations and possible health implications. A descriptive study was conducted in two stages: A, in July 2002, and B, in July 2007. In each stage were analyzed 34 medication leaflets of seven antihypertensive drugs of the National Essential Drugs List (2006). Among the 68 leaflets analyzed, most did not contain all the information required by Portaria nº 110/1997 (89.5%) in the stage A and the RDC nº 140/2003 (100%) in B. In 100% of the leaflets, the legislation had not been fulfilled. Some important topics as way of administration, how to use and overdose had been absent in 76% of the leaflets, the lack of this information has an impact in the security of the antihypertensive users. Based on these data, it was possible to evidence inadequate contents of the medication leaflets. So, it is necessary greater surveillance by Anvisa, to ensure the rational use of medicines and the reduction of the risks to the elderly health.

Bulas de medicamentos usados por idosos com hipertensão: adequação da informação à regulamentação sanitária e possíveis implicações para a saúde / Medication leaflets used by elderly with hypertension: adequacy of information for sanitary regulation and possible implications for health

As bulas representam a principal fonte de informação escrita fornecida aos pacientes, especialmente aos idosos. O presente trabalho visou analisar o conteúdo das bulas dos medicamentos frequentemente prescritos para idosos com hipertensão, bem como a sua adequação à regulamentação sanitária e possíveis implicações para a saúde. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo em duas etapas: etapa A, em julho de 2002, e B em julho de 2007. Em cada etapa foram analisadas 34 bulas de sete fármacos anti-hipertensivos que constam na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (2006). Entre as 68 bulas analisadas, a maioria não continha todas as informações exigidas pela Portaria n° 110/1997 na etapa A (89,5 por cento) e pela RDC n°140/2003 na B (100 por cento). Alguns itens importantes como via de administração, modo de uso e superdose não constavam em 76 por cento das bulas analisadas. A falta dessas informações é relevante para a segurança dos pacientes. Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível constatar o não cumprimento da legislação vigente nas duas etapas do estudo. Logo, é necessária maior atuação da Anvisa para assegurar o uso racional dos medicamentos e a redução dos riscos à saúde dos idosos.

The medication leaflets represent the main source of written information supplied to the patients, in special to the elderly. This study aimed to analyze the content of the leaflets of drugs often prescribed for elderly people with hypertension, as well as their adequacy to the sanitary regulations and possible health implications. A descriptive study was conducted in two stages: A, in July 2002, and B, in July 2007. In each stage were analyzed 34 medication leaflets of seven antihypertensive drugs of the National Essential Drugs List (2006). Among the 68 leaflets analyzed, most did not contain all the information required by Portaria nº 110/1997 (89.5 percent) in the stage A and the RDC nº 140/2003 (100 percent) in B. In 100 percent of the leaflets, the legislation had not been fulfilled. Some important topics as way of administration, how to use and overdose had been absent in 76 percent of the leaflets, the lack of this information has an impact in the security of the antihypertensive users. Based on these data, it was possible to evidence inadequate contents of the medication leaflets. So, it is necessary greater surveillance by Anvisa, to ensure the rational use of medicines and the reduction of the risks to the elderly health.

Analysis and detection of dental prescribing errors at primary health care units in Brazil.

AIM OF STUDY: To analyze dental prescribing errors in Aracaju, Brazil, and to suggest feasible improvements for patient safety. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted at nine Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs) in the northeast region of Brazil. A convenience sample of 300 dental prescriptions was selected during the period February-May 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing criteria were used to measure the quality of the prescriptions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All medications were prescribed by generic name; 98.3% of prescription information contained abbreviations and 26% of them were classified as having low legibility or as being illegible. The most commonly prescribed medications were diclofenac (35%), both sodium and potassium, and amoxicillin (26%). CONCLUSIONS: Dental prescribing errors should be considered as a potential area for improvement in the medication management process and patient safety. We suggest that a pharmacist should be available for medication dispensing at all units and that dentists are trained continuously so that medication orders may become more legible and complete. Improving the quality of dental prescriptions will reduce the risks for medication errors and will promote the rational use of pharmacotherapy, and patient safety.