Assessment of pharmacists' experience with ophthalmic drug products.

BACKGROUND

Pharmacists' recommendations on selection and proper use of eye care products are important in terms of patient compliance with therapy. A questionnaire was designed to determine if educational differences exist between North Carolina and Alabama pharmacists with regard to ophthalmic drugs and procedures.

METHODS

Pharmacists in Raleigh, North Carolina and Birmingham, Alabama were surveyed since these areas have similar populations and demographic characteristics but differed in the prescriptive authority accorded optometrists.

RESULTS

Relative to familiarity, dispensing experience, and patient instruction on proper use, North Carolina pharmacists seem to have a statistically significant (p < 0.05) better educational preparation and experience with three ophthalmic drugs and procedures: OTC decongestants, ointments, and eyedrop instillation procedures. Pharmacists of both cities felt they had insufficient knowledge and experience with numerous ophthalmic drug products, including antiglaucoma cap color codes, C-cap compliance caps, eyelid scrubs, contact lenses, and nasolacrimal occlusion procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacists appear to need more post-graduate education relative to ophthalmic drugs and procedures and could benefit from additional training on these subjects while in pharmacy school. Optometrists and ophthalmologists should educate patients about ophthalmic drug delivery, including eyedrop instillation procedures.