A structured questionnaire was developed based on published literature and input from pharmacist academics involved in prescribing. Following piloting
the pharmacist survey was distributed during November and December 2013 via email to the membership of the National Palliative Care Pharmacy Network (n = 180). The questionnaire Cobimetinib price consisted of nine sections: general information, experiences before, during and after the prescribing course, prescribing practice, clinical governance and risk management, prescribing for pain in palliative care, opinions about independent prescribing and views on support and continuing professional development. Respondents were asked if they had any additional comments to make about pharmacist prescribing Research ethics committee approval was sought and obtained for the study. Seventy members of the network completed the survey, 49% (34) were based selleckchem in an acute trust, 10%
(7) a community trust and 41% (28) a hospice setting. All pharmacists who completed the survey reported a pharmacist prescribing qualification would be relevant to their current role, only 20% (14) reported they were currently prescribing as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (PIP). One was recently qualified and waiting to prescribe and one had qualified as a prescriber and never prescribed. A further 10% (7) were currently undertaking the prescribing course. The PIPs working in palliative care
reported prescribing a wide range of medicines in patients with complex comorbid conditions. This complexity presented some unmet training needs. Despite these challenges the PIPs strongly believe their role improves ROS1 patient access to medicines and enhances patient care. All pharmacists reported discontinuing and rationalising medication was a significant part of their role. Contrary to previous research evidence, almost all respondents who were qualified prescribers were using their prescribing qualification regularly. Although the proportion of respondents who were prescribers was relatively small (20%) an encouraging number of respondents (10% ) were currently undertaking the prescribing course suggesting pharmacist prescribing in palliative care is gathering momentum. Due to the complexity of palliative care patients more comprehensive mentorship around clinical examination skills and providing holistic care would be beneficial on completion of the prescribing course. 1. Latter, S. and A. Blenkinsopp, Non-medical prescribing: current and future contribution of pharmacists and nurses. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 2011. 19(6): p. 381–382. L. Seston, K. Hassell, E. Schafheutle, T. Fegan University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Pharmacy successfully recruits a significant proportion of applicants from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds.