However, this practice could have been better if HCPs had adequate awareness of the SCCP guidelines. “
“The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of involving community pharmacy staff in patient education about antibiotic resistance, thus improving antibiotic knowledge. Selleckchem Enzalutamide Thirty-four patients presenting a valid antibiotic script for dispensing at

three community pharmacies in regional New South Wales, Australia were randomly allocated by ballot draw to an intervention group or control group. Those in the intervention group were provided with verbal education based on an Australian National Prescribing Service patient leaflet regarding antibiotics. This paper presents pilot data indicating that there was a significant increase in antibiotic knowledge determined approximately 1 month after receiving verbal antibiotic education (33.3 ± 40.8) as compared with patients not receiving verbal antibiotic education (−5.1 ± 23.0), t (18.9) = 2.957, P = 0.008. This study has shown that verbal education, provided within a community pharmacy, regarding antibiotics improved patients’ knowledge about antibiotics and provides evidence for the critical role of pharmacy Erismodegib datasheet staff in patient education. “
“Objectives  The aim of this article is to highlight the roles that pharmacists currently have in the management of patients with epilepsy and

the opportunities and challenges associated with these roles. Key findings  There are many opportunities for pharmacists in the management of patients with epilepsy owing to the accessibility and extensive knowledge of drug therapy. The role of pharmacists extends beyond dispensing medications. The pharmacists have a significant role in the education of patients about the disease and therapy, encouraging

adherence and explaining side effects and providing information on potential drug-drug interactions, resulting in improved clinical outcomes and decreased costs. Physicians prefer pharmacists as information sources for medication profile and drug interaction screening for patients with epilepsy. However, there are certain challenges which the pharmacists should overcome if effective medication therapy management services are to be provided on a routine basis. Educational others interventions are required to improve the knowledge and skills of pharmacists. The gap between patients’ and pharmacists’ views of the pharmacist’s role has to be narrowed to ensure enhanced role of the pharmacists in this patient group. Conclusions  There are a lot of opportunities and challenges for pharmacists to provide medication therapy management services for patients with epilepsy. Evidence in the literature provides justification for such services. However more research is required to provide foundation for routine provision of such services in all healthcare facilities.