Greenberg Aimee R, Barnett Candace W
Mercer University, Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta, Georgia.
Int J Pharm Compd. 2004 Jan-Feb;8(1):65-72.
Prescribers practicing in metropolitan Atlanta were surveyed to examine their attitudes about compounding pharmacy, their perceived uses and indicated needs for compounding services, and their interest in learning more about compounding pharmacy. A questionnaire was mailed to random samples of 100 prescribers in each of the following specialties: veterinary, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and dermatology, with 25% responding. Attitudes toward compounding pharmacy were measured using 21 items and a five-point response scale (1 = strongly disagree). Overall, the prescribers felt favorably toward compounding pharmacy, with a mean attitude of 3.94. The majority indicated that they had needs for compounding pharmacy related to medication strength, size dosage form, removal of dyes or preservatives, and commercial availability. Potential areas for detailing compounding services were identified within specialties, where prescribers were not aware of some beneficial uses of compounding pharmacy. The majority of prescribers were interested in learning more about compounding pharmacy. The desired educational methods in order of preference were written information (96%), attendance at a seminar (40%), and an office detail conducted by a compounding pharmacist (31%).
