Better counselling needed
September 12, 2014
THE Pharmacy Board of Australia
has said in its latest communiqué
that a lack of, or insufficient
counselling on medication
by pharmacists had been a
“contributing factor” to complaints
being made.
The Board said this had become
apparent during the consideration
of a number of notifications.
The number and nature of these
notifications were not available, a
spokesperson for the Board said.
The Board said it was reminding
pharmacists of their obligations
regarding counselling patients, as
outlined in its guidelines.
“In addition to providing patients
with important information
to aid compliance with their
medication, counselling on the
medication being supplied serves
as an opportunity to complete a
final check of whether the correct
medication is being supplied to
the patient in accordance with
the prescriber’s instructions, thus
minimising the occurrence of
dispensing errors.”
Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia national president Grant
Kardachi said this was a concern.
“Dispensing is a professional
service and counselling and
advice must be a core part of our
everyday practice and PSA has
long been reinforcing the need
for the profession to engage with
consumers to achieve better heath
outcomes for our patients.
“Quality Use of Medicines is
a principle of the the National
Medicnes Policy and pharmacists
have a responsibility to ensure its
implementation.”
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