Background

The Pharmacy Healthcare Scheme and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain commissioned a review of the non peer reviewed literature as part of a wider research programme ¹ on community pharmacy involvement in health development.

Aim

To identify and critically review non peer-reviewed UK research on community pharmacists' contribution to health development.

Method

Sources of non peer-reviewed literature were identified through key informants and a survey of academic departments of pharmacy and related subjects. Criteria were developed for review of research quality and a list of inclusion criteria for the review was constructed. Data were abstracted and a matrix was constructed, from which information was synthesised in a descriptive report.

Key findings

In total 45 studies were identified, 38 of which were included. The most common reason for exclusion was a low survey response rate. Most of the research (20 studies) involved the investigation of both pharmacists' and stakeholder attitudes towards pharmacists' role in health development. Community pharmacists (27 studies) and pharmacy users (22 studies) were the most frequently included participant groups. Thirteen studies addressed general issues in health development and 26 covered specific topics. The review identified some good quality research studies that make a useful contribution to the evidence base.

The non peer-reviewed literature confirms some of the key findings from the peer-reviewed literature. Firstly, that community pharmacists are generally viewed by the public as experts who advise on medicines rather than health and illness. Secondly, that members of the public report being willing to receive further information on health issues from community pharmacists but are not currently receiving this advice. Thirdly, that community pharmacists can provide effective health development activities in the following areas: coronary heart disease prevention, immunisation, supply of emergency hormonal contraception and drug misuse. Lastly, that training has the potential to significantly change community pharmacists' behaviour and positively orientate their practice towards health development. In addition the 'grey' literature provided further insights into the perceived problems and acceptability of community pharmacists' providing advice and services on sensitive health issues, such as the supply of emergency hormonal contraception and head lice management.

Conclusion

The non peer reviewed literature strengthens the review of evidence by confirming the key findings of the systematic review of the literature ¹, adding new material on the relationships between community pharmacists and the primary health care team, and by providing further insights into pharmacist and user attitudes and behaviours.

Reference

1. Anderson C, Blenkinsopp A, Armstrong M. The evidence relating to pharmacy involvement in Health development Report 1 A critical review of the literature 1990-2001. Pharmacy Health Care Scheme and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.