We invite pharmacists to share their views

The focus on Brexit and its potential impact upon the use of medicines by patients provides an opportunity for pharmacists to contemplate the current situation regarding medicines both from a supply and demand perspective. The PDA, as part of its membership of the government’s Brexit forum, provides advice on these subjects and as the likelihood of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit has recently increased, the PDA seeks the current views of frontline pharmacists.
NB: Your responses to this survey will be kept anonymous.

Question Title

* 1. For what percentage of prescription items dispensed have you experienced shortages, within the past three months? 

For the purposes of this question a shortage is where a patient has been unable to get their medicines at the time they expected, due to some form of non-availability from a wholesaler or supplier (e.g. an “out of stock” or “manufacturer cannot supply” item).

0 50 100
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 2.  Have medicines shortages increased, decreased or remained the same in the last 12 months?

Question Title

* 3. Are you aware of examples from the past 12 months of where medicines shortages have led to patient harm?

Question Title

* 4. How much of your working day is currently spent on managing medicines shortages?

Question Title

* 5. In the event of a no deal Brexit, do you think medicines shortages would be:

Question Title

* 6. Legislation which means pharmacists can supply an alternative medicine under a Serious Shortage Protocol was introduced in July 2019. How well briefed do you feel about SSPs?

Question Title

* 7. How effective do you think Serious Shortage Protocols will be in addressing medicines shortages?

Question Title

* 8. Has your employer asked your opinion or briefed you about any plans for how you would deal with the prospect of a worsening of medicines shortage in the event that this did occur following a no-deal Brexit?

Question Title

* 9. A service could be developed which seeks to reduce unnecessary demand for medicines through de-prescribing, following a review of patients on multiple medications; this could also reduce the harmful effects of over-prescribing. This would require additional funding and any necessary training.

Would you support the development of such a service?

Question Title

* 10. If such a service were created, please let us know the sector you think this service would be best provided by.

Please tick all that apply

Question Title

* 11. Please provide any other comments you feel may be helpful.

Question Title

* 12. And finally, which sector do you work in?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

T