Headline: Challenges in Counseling for Unlicensed Medicines in Finnish Pharmacies
Understanding the State of Counseling on Unlicensed Medicines
Recent studies reveal a concerning gap in the quality of medication counseling provided by community pharmacies in Finland regarding unlicensed medicines—those without marketing authorization. The obligation for thorough and accurate patient counseling remains, yet the availability of adequate information is often inadequate, particularly for products sourced from foreign languages. This issue is critical not only for patient safety but also for the integrity of pharmaceutical care nationwide.
The Significance of Unlicensed Medicines
Unlicensed medicines become necessary when patients require medications that are not approved in their country due to various reasons, including untreated health conditions or drug shortages. In Finland, healthcare providers must ensure patients receive essential counseling during such transactions. Yet, as evidenced by a recent dual survey conducted among pharmacy staff and patients, there are significant inconsistencies in how this obligation is handled.
The Surveys: Methodology & Key Findings
Conducted between June and November 2022, the research involved two primary surveys targeting pharmacists and patients purchasing medicines with special permits. Pharmacists, sourced through Oriola’s network, responded about their experiences and preferences for counseling resources. Simultaneously, patients provided insights into the counseling they received.
From the nearly 400 pharmacists surveyed:
- Over 80% have at least five years of experience.
- 73% of unlicensed medication dispensations involved counseling for medications with a fixed-term special permit.
- A striking 60% of pharmacists admitted they did not provide counseling when dispensing unlicensed products.
In a separate survey of 36 patients:
- Most reported having received some form of counseling, primarily from their prescribing doctors and pharmacists.
- Patients rated the counseling from pharmacists higher on average than that from doctors, scoring 7.3/10 versus 6.1/10, respectively.
A Language Barrier in Patient Care
One of the most alarming findings was the significant language barrier impacting the effectiveness of medication counseling. A majority of pharmacists indicated uncertainty about the language of the package leaflet (PL) accompanying the dispensed products. In some cases, the PLs were predominantly in German or English, which raises concerns about Finnish patients understanding critical medication information.
The study found that:
- 58% of pharmacists did not know the language of the PL.
- Only 5% indicated the PL was available in Finnish.
With Finland’s unique linguistic landscape, this language barrier can lead to miscommunication, increasing the risk associated with medication use.
Recommendations for Improvement
To address these gaps, healthcare professionals and organizations must take collaborative action:
- Enhanced Training: Pharmacists and prescribers should receive targeted training on the significance of counseling for unlicensed medicines.
- Standardized Resources: Development of patient-friendly materials in Finnish, integrated into electronic systems, would considerably improve the information available.
- Multilingual Support: Emphasizing multilingual resources can better serve Finland’s diverse population, ensuring all patients have access to crucial information.
The Path Forward
The results from these surveys highlight the inherent weaknesses in the current system of counseling for unlicensed medicines in Finland’s pharmacies. As the landscape of pharmaceutical care evolves, especially amidst increasing drug shortages and a growing reliance on unlicensed products, it becomes imperative for stakeholders including healthcare providers, pharmacy chains, and authorities, to ensure that patient safety remains at the forefront.
Encouraging open discussions and sharing experiences among pharmacists, prescribers, and patients will pave the way for improvements and innovations in patient counseling practices. Collectively, by advocating for better communication and consistent information access, the pharmaceutical community can enhance the quality of care delivered to patients relying on unlicensed medications.
What are your thoughts on the current state of medication counseling for unlicensed drugs? We invite you to share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below!
