Published by Computachem Services

P.O Box 297.
Alstonville. 2477
NSW Australia

Phone:
61 2 66285138

One thing GPs and pharmacists have much in common at this time of the year is the number of patients (or customers) seen who have a cold, sore throat or some URTI they require relief for or often a 'quick fix".
It is so in this realm of the Nation - perhaps not in warmer climes but it increases the through put of patients in waiting rooms and I expect numbers of customers through the pharmacy doors.
Is there a new product on the market this year?
There usually is!

At the Division we are all aware of the National Prescribing Service (NPS) message "Common colds need Common sense" and there are many planned community talks on this theme involving pharmacists and GPs.
There is also a great web site that I hope you will access for some great ideas and advice both for yourselves and your customers. www.gottacold.com
Our Division is also conducting an academic detailing (educational visiting) program for General Practitioners on prescribing antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
The main message is think before writing a script for these wonderful agents as the wonder we still have could, with injudicious prescribing, soon go.
Rising resistance rates and the viral nature of the URTI complaint whether it be a common cold, a sore ear, acute bronchitis or sinusitis will ensue it is self limiting and likely to resolve within a week. Antibiotics will do little if anything to hasten the healing and will have one or several adverse effects on the pocket, side effects and community resistance escalation.
Again a risk: benefit deliberation.
Most GPs are very familiar with this argument and the data that supports it but pressures of patient belief in the 'magic bullet' can persuade otherwise.
Pharmacists are also familiar with this scenario and can do a lot to help educate patients with antibiotic decisions it is hoped.
Situations where a patient presents a deferred script or an old repeat for an antibiotic pose challenging discussions with the customer.
But in the cause of Quality Use of Medicines are you prepared and knowledgeable enough to dissuade a customer from this antibiotic request?
Getting the customer or the patient back can sometimes have more influence on a professional's behaviour than is warranted.
Of course the customer wants the best outcome and an NPS lifestyle script on symptomatic management can inform well, provide an opportunity to 'sell' a product and arm the customer with enough information, including why an antibiotic is not a wise decision, to more that satisfy them with the service and an authoritative mode to self treatment.
There is always the proviso of seeing the GP if the condition worsens.
The NPS has supplied these pads of symptomatic management for URTIs for about 4 years now and I am sure pharmacists will have been presented with them by customers purchasing a decongestant on analgesic.
They are also produced in several languages and the GPs value them as a tool for quality care.
The wise use of antibiotics in the community is a challenge to all of us and more so to health professionals who also have a great responsibility to preserve the benefit of these drugs into the future.
It is a simple message with profound outcomes.