title: Evaluating pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Saskatchewan is the second Canadian province to allow pharmacists to prescribe medications for minor ailments and the only province that remunerates for this activity. The aim of this project was to determine whether patients prescribed such treatment by a pharmacist symptomatically improve within a set time frame.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacists were asked to hand a study-invitation card to anyone for whom they prescribed a medication for a minor ailment during the 1-year study period. Consenting participants contacted the study researchers directly and were subsequently instructed to complete an online questionnaire at the appropriate follow-up time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety pharmacies in Saskatchewan participated, accruing 125 participants. Cold sores were the most common minor ailment (34.4%), followed by insect bites (20%) and seasonal allergies (19.2%). Trust in pharmacists and convenience were the most common reasons for choosing a pharmacist over a physician, and 27.2% would have chosen a physician or emergency department if the minor ailment service were not available. The condition significantly/completely improved in 80.8%; only 4% experienced bothersome side effects. Satisfaction with the pharmacist and service was strong; only 5.6% felt a physician would have been more thorough.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants were very satisfied with their symptomatic improvement and with the service in general, albeit for a small number of conditions. Participants reported getting better, and side effects were not a concern. These results are encouraging for pharmacists; however, a comparison of physician care with pharmacist care and unsupported self-care is required to truly know the benefit of pharmacist prescribing.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mansell
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bootsman
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuntz
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role
keywords: community pharmacy; consumer attitudes; health-seeking behaviour; lay perspectives; patient attitudes; prescribing