Vol:.(1234567890)
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy (2018) 40:650–658
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-018-0622-z
1 3
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Pharmacist supply of sildenal: pharmacists’ experiences
and perceptions on training and tools for supply
Rhiannon Braund
1
· Kaushalya Ratnayake
1
· Katie Tong
1
· Jackie Song
1
· Stephen Chai
1
· Natalie Gauld
2
Received: 26 September 2017 / Accepted: 15 March 2018 / Published online: 31 March 2018
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
Abstract
Background In 2014, New Zealand reclassified sildenafil (for erectile dysfunction) to allow supply by specially trained
pharmacists under strict criteria. Objective The study aimed to determine pharmacists’ experiences and perspectives on the
training for, and supply of sildenafil under this model. Setting New Zealand community pharmacy. Method This qualitative
study captured data with a semi-structured interview used with purposively-sampled participants. A maximum variation sam-
ple was used to select a wide range of pharmacists working in various pharmacies, including pharmacists who were trained
to provide sildenafil and those not trained to supply sildenafil. Consenting pharmacists were interviewed, with interviews
audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis used a framework approach. Main outcome measures Topics explored included:
satisfaction and experience of the training; suitability and usability of the screening tools; experiences of the supply process
and why some pharmacists chose not to become trained. Results Thirty-five pharmacists were interviewed. Training was seen
as uncomplicated and the screening tools provided confidence that key consultation areas were covered. Most consultations
reportedly took 15–20 min, some up to 60 min. Pharmacists reported being comfortable with the consultations. Many men
requesting supply fell outside of the parameters, resulting in medical referral. This new model of supply was seen as a posi-
tive for pharmacists and their patients. Unaccredited pharmacists reported a perceived lack of interest from men, or ability
to provide the service as reasons for not seeking accreditation. Conclusion New Zealand’s model of pharmacist supply of
sildenafil appears workable with some areas for improvement identified.
Keywords Community pharmacy services · Erectile dysfunction · New Zealand · Pharmacist’s training · Reclassification ·
Sildenafil
Impacts on Practice
•
The provision of accessible and thorough training in con-
junction with appropriate screening tools gives pharma-
cists confidence to work in the are of erectile dysfunction.
•
The increased clinical component of the New Zea-
land supply model, specifically the cardiovascular risk
assessment, and the enhanced access to sildenafil is seen
as positive for both pharmacists and patients.
•
The New Zealand model for sildenafil supply can
enhance the primary care role played by community
pharmacists.
Introduction
Pharmacy and pharmacists’ roles in widening access to
medicines are enabled by the international trend for pre-
scription to non-prescription medicine reclassification [1].
Benefits of reclassification include timely self-management
of common conditions, and reducing pressure on doctors and
health funding [2–4]. A wider range of medicines without
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this
article (https ://doi.org/10.1007/s1109 6-018-0622-z) contains
supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
* Rhiannon Braund
rhiannon.braund@otago.ac.nz
1
University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054,
New Zealand
2
University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142,
New Zealand
@Phil_Robichaud
@deepthiw
@JoseServera