College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.
Ann Pharmacother. 2010 Sep;44(9):1403-9. doi: 10.1345/aph.1P056. Epub 2010 Jun 29.
In late 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held public hearings exploring the establishment of a new behind-the-counter (BTC) drug program. However, little is known about the views of pharmacists regarding such a program.
To assess the overall perceptions of Idaho's practicing pharmacists about the creation of a formal BTC drug program, the appropriateness of including certain drug categories, specific barriers to its adoption, and the impact of the new program on access to medicines.
A survey of practicing pharmacists in Idaho was conducted by mail, utilizing anonymous responses. Key questions exploring the views of pharmacists about the new BTC drug program utilized 5-point Likert scales. Data were also collected on respondent characteristics.
A total of 357 practicing pharmacists in Idaho (31% response rate) returned the mail survey; 84% of pharmacists agreed that the FDA should be exploring an expanded BTC program, and 88% of pharmacists agreed that this program would improve access to some prescription-only products and convenience for patients. Almost 71% of pharmacists reported a personal willingness to both initiate and monitor certain BTC drug therapies. When focusing on specific drug categories for BTC status, the highest support was for selected agents within smoking cessation therapies (85%), nasal corticosteroids for allergies (81%), and vaccines (75%). Pharmacists who reported low barriers to the adoption of a new BTC program were significantly more likely to support this program than were those reporting high barriers. Only 39% of pharmacists agreed that adequate facilities were currently available for private evaluation and counseling of BTC patients.
Pharmacists in a statewide survey of perceptions regarding a new BTC drug program overwhelmingly believe that patients would benefit. Pharmacists strongly support the development of the new program, and more than two thirds indicate that they would likely participate, given the necessary supporting institutional framework. Perceived barriers are related to willingness to participate and likely can be minimized through education and provision of private consulting areas.
2007 年末，食品和药物管理局（FDA）举行了公开听证会，探讨建立一个新的非处方（BTC）药物项目。然而，对于药剂师对该项目的看法知之甚少。
评估爱达荷州执业药剂师对创建正式 BTC 药物项目的总体看法，包括某些药物类别的适当性，采用该项目的具体障碍，以及新计划对获得药物的影响。
通过邮件向爱达荷州的执业药剂师进行了一项调查，采用匿名回复。探索药剂师对新 BTC 药物项目的看法的关键问题利用了 5 点李克特量表。还收集了关于受访者特征的数据。
爱达荷州共有 357 名执业药剂师（31%的回复率）回复了邮件调查；84%的药剂师同意 FDA 应探索扩大 BTC 计划，88%的药剂师同意该计划将改善某些处方药物的获取途径，并为患者提供便利。近 71%的药剂师报告个人愿意启动和监测某些 BTC 药物治疗。当专注于 BTC 地位的特定药物类别时，支持最高的是戒烟治疗中的某些药物（85%）、过敏的鼻用皮质类固醇（81%）和疫苗（75%）。报告采用新 BTC 计划的障碍较低的药剂师比报告障碍较高的药剂师更有可能支持该计划。只有 39%的药剂师同意目前有足够的设施为 BTC 患者进行私人评估和咨询。
在一项针对新 BTC 药物项目的全州范围的药剂师看法调查中，绝大多数药剂师认为患者将受益。药剂师强烈支持新计划的发展，超过三分之二的人表示，如果有必要的支持性机构框架，他们可能会参与。感知到的障碍与参与意愿有关，通过教育和提供私人咨询区域，这些障碍可能会最小化。
