Published by Computachem Services

P.O Box 297.
Alstonville. 2477
NSW Australia

Phone:
61 2 66285138

How many pharmacists when thinking 'quality use of medicines' seriously consider life style as a considerable contributing factor to better outcomes?
How many of us when counseling patients on prescription drugs, OTCs and the complementary range of products increasingly sold over our counters speak of 'life style' factors to the purchasers?
Having just finished watching the Lions and the Magpies fight it out on the MCG in front of 100,000 spectators I could not but reflect on the QUM program the Division has at the moment where the 'drug' information I am discussing with GPs is quite meaningless without the discussion on the life style evidence.
For many of the 100,000 spectators, popping a pill is still the solution to their hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidaemia problem.

The many trials that have bought the best independent evidence on the benefits of cholesterol lowering drugs have all been conducted with 1000's of participants all on strict diet and exercise programs.
So the evidence that shows the benefits of these drugs in preventing CHD is on a foundation of the life style factors that have also shown benefits to patients in preventing CHD without the drugs.
This applies also to diabetes and hypertension and probably many more of the disease we see everyday in our professional practice.

Life style factors of low fat, low saturated fat, high fruit and vegetable, adequate fibre etc etc are well known to all health professional along with quiting smoking, recommended daily alcohol use and an exercise program but how many of us regularly remind or even mention in passing to our customers of these measures when they purchase their statins or antihypertensive medications.
Is it our business anyway or do we, as pharmacists just sell the drugs?
Are we also responsible for the outcomes of these drugs we are all purchasing through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the wellbeing of our fellow Australians?
As the trusted professionals we are, I believe we have a duty of care to anyone we counsel on medication on the associated life style factors that have been shown to make a huge difference to the outcomes of so many expensive (to the community) diseases that threaten to become epidemic in the near future.

On the personal level, one to one with our customer how much more satisfying is it to alert them to something they either did not know or perhaps needed a reminder and some confirmation from a trusted pharmacist.
Do you have brochures in the pharmacy to give them?
Self-care cards address most of these issues but there are also excellent resources from the Australian Heart Foundation you can obtain to support your concern with the patient.
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) produces 'life style scripts' that are given to patients in lieu of a prescription outlining measures to take.
Pharmacists could also use these to supplement their counsel.
The evidence for these measures is very strong as part of treatment as well as prevention for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and diabetes and associated life style disease.
It is an integral part of the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and it is important for pharmacists to embrace as part of practice.

Editor's Note: I promised not to comment on the outcome of the Grand Final, but could not resist it.
Who treated all the Victorian heart attacks or the subsequent depression of the many Victorian AFL fans after the Magpie defeat?
Shouldn't they now begin to alter their lifestyle to avoid these high risks?