Advice-giving on self-medication: Perspectives of community pharmacists and consumers in Singapore

Abstract

Background: In Singapore, community pharmacists provide an advice-giving service to consumers who seek self-medication for minor ailments management. This service has not been studied formally from the perspectives of pharmacists and consumers. Objectives: The study aimed to identify (i) the approach taken by pharmacists in providing advice for self-medication and (ii) consumers' behaviour in self-treatment and their perception of the advice-giving role of the community pharmacist. Method: The pharmacists and consumers were surveyed independently using two structured questionnaires. Results and discussion: All community pharmacists who participated in the survey were confident in providing advice on self-medication. However, none of them recorded the consultations and only 17-5% of them had documented their general physician referrals. Most consumers (66-3%) would self-medicate and only consult a professional when the desired outcome was not achieved. Less than 10% of consumers would approach the pharmacists as the first option for advice. More than half of the pharmacists felt that the advice they rendered deserved a fee whereas only 28-4% of the consumers were willing to pay. Both parties thought the fee should not be more than S$5 (US$3). Conclusion: Generally, there is congruence in the perspectives on self-medication between the advice-giving pharmacist and the consumer. The consumers still lack awareness that pharmacists can help them to self-medicate more safely and effectively. Therefore, more effort in public education is warranted. The current state of poor documentation of the advisory function of community pharmacists should be improved. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.