Information sources used by community pharmacists : in response to medicine-related queries from the general public

Abstract

In their day to day work community pharmacists play an important role in providing medicine information to members of the general public. In recent times the number of drugs has increased as well as the complexity of modern therapeutics. In addition, pharmacists may not have the time or resources to answer all the questions they are asked. This study concerns community pharmacists' use of information sources in response to medicine-related queries from the general public. In addition the frequency of use of these information sources is looked at, as well as whether pharmacists feel any constraints exist on their ability to access information. Information is also obtained on the type and frequency of medicine-related queries presenting to community pharmacists from the general public. It is hoped the findings of this research would be useful to organisations such as the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand in respect to developing policy in areas of information provision to community pharmacists.