Table 2 Frequency with which the steps are performed by pharmacists during drug dispensing (n = 625)
Steps | Frequency with which the pharmacist performs step n (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Always | Frequently | Sometimes | Rarely | Never | |
1.Verify the completeness and adequacy of the prescription according to current legislation | 412 (65.92%) * | 155 (24.80%) | 45 (7.20%) | 11 (1.76%) | 2 (0.32%) |
2.Verify if the dispensing is for the patient, caregiver, or other person | 308 (49.28%) * | 226 (36.16%) * | 75 (12.00%) | 12 (1.92%) | 4 (0.64%) |
3. Verify if this is the first time the patient uses the medicine | 157 (25.12%) | 253 (40.48%) * | 173 (27.68%) | 36 (5.76%) | 6 (0.96%) |
4. Verify if there are contraindications for the use of the medicine (e.g., allergy, pregnancy, health conditions, among others) | 129 (20.54%) | 210 (33.60%) | 200 (32.00%) | 76 (12.16%) | 10 (1.60%) |
5.Verify if the patient uses other medications or has other health problems | 93 (14.88%) | 186 (29.76%) | 231 (36.96%) * | 102 (16.32%) | 13 (2.08%) |
6. Verify if the patient is familiar with the indication(s) of the medication | 126 (20.16%) | 220 (35.20%)* | 202 (32.32%) | 73 (11.68%) | 4 (0.64%) |
7. Inform the medication name | 431 (68.96%) * | 138 (22.08%) | 40 (6.40%) | 11 (1.76%) | 5 (0.80%) |
8. Counsel on the clinical condition (disease/sign/symptom) for which the medication was prescribed | 125 (20.00%) | 257 (41.12%) * | 182 (29.12%) | 53 (8.48%) | 8 (1.28%) |
9. Counsel about medication indication(s) | 196 (31.36%) | 243 (38.88%) * | 153 (24.48%) | 28 (4.48%) | 5 (0.80%) |
10. Counsel on therapeutic goals | 75 (12.00%) | 169 (27.04%) | 214 (34.24%) | 127 (20.32%) | 40 (6.40%) |
11. Verify if the patient knows about correct use of the medication | 193 (30.88%) | 218 (34.88%) | 163 (26.08%) | 43 (6.88%) | 8 (1.28%) |
12. Counsel on how to use the pharmaceutical form of the medication | 281 (44.96%) * | 216 (34.56%) | 106 (16.96%) | 20 (3.20%) | 2 (0.32%) |
13. Inform the route of administration of the medication | 310 (49.60%) * | 177 (28.32%) | 97 (15.52%) | 36 (5.76%) | 5 (0.80%) |
14. Counsel on dosage (dose, frequency, and duration of treatment) | 338 (54.08%) * | 211 (33.76%) | 61 (9.76%) | 14 (2.24%) | 1 (0.16%) |
15. Counsel about the time to take the medication | 296 (47.36%) * | 204 (32.64%) | 103 (16.48%) | 18 (2.88%) | 4 (0.64%) |
16. Counsel on time for the medication to take effect | 93 (14.88%) | 140 (22.40%) | 223 (35.68%) * | 148 (23.68%) | 21 (3.36%) |
17. Counsel on interactions (drug/drug; drug/food; drug/alcohol) | 79 (12.64%) | 159 (25.44%) | 227 (36.32%) * | 136 (21.76%) | 24 (3.84%) |
18. Counsel on how to monitor the health problem | 66 (10.56%) | 178 (28.48%) | 215 (34.40%) | 139 (22.24%) | 27 (4.32%) |
19. Counsel on non-pharmacological treatment | 82 (13.12%) | 178 (28.48%) | 239 (38.24%) * | 96 (15.36%) | 30 (4.80%) |
20. Counsel on medication storage | 126 (20.16%) | 170 (27.20%) | 186 (29.76%) | 115 (18.40%) | 28 (4.48%) |
21. Counsel on medication disposal | 71 (11.36%) | 105 (16.80%) | 175 (28.00%) | 199 (31.84%) | 75 (12.00%) |
22. Verify if the patient knows about aspects related to the treatment safety (e.g., have you ever felt something different when using this medication?) | 61 (9.76%) | 110 (17.60%) | 245 (39.20%) * | 158 (25.28%) | 51 (8.16%) |
23. Counsel on precautions regarding the medication use (e.g., for medications that cause drowsiness, pay extra attention when driving or operating machinery) | 184 (29.44%) | 221 (35.36%) * | 148 (23.68%) | 53 (8.48%) | 19 (3.04%) |
24. Counsel on adverse drug reactions | 79 (12.64%) | 161 (25.76%) | 276 (44.16%) * | 91 (14.56%) | 18 (2.88%) |
25. Counsel on the consequences of using the medication in the long-term, when applicable | 129 (20.64%) | 172 (27.52%) | 212 (33.92%) | 88 (14.08%) | 24 (3.84%) |
26. Verify if the patient is aware of aspects related to medication adherence (e.g.: Some people forget to take their medication, does this happen to you? What are your concerns regarding the use of this medication?) | 92 (14.72%) | 185 (29.60%) | 204 (32.64%) | 112 (17.92%) | 32 (5.12%) |
27. Counsel on management in case of a missed dose | 81 (12.96%) | 145 (23.20%) | 217 (34.72%) | 141 (22.56%) | 41 (6.56%) |
28. Counsel on the importance of correct use of medicine and medication adherence | 215 (34.40%) | 242 (38.72%) * | 121 (19.36%) | 38 (6.08%) | 9 (1.44%) |
29. Confirm the patient’s understanding of the counseling provided in the drug dispensing | 199 (31.84%) | 238 (38.08%) * | 122 (19.52%) | 52 (8.32%) | 14 (2.24%) |
30. Documents the interventions performed in the drug dispensing | 66 (10.56%) | 52 (8.32%) | 83 (13.28%) | 137 (21.92%) * | 287 (45.92%) * |
31. Refers the patient to other health professionals and/or clinical pharmacy services, when necessary | 185 (29.6%) | 162 (25.92%) | 137 (21.92%) | 94 (15.04%) | 47 (7.52%) |