Assessment of the Florida Pharmacist Self-care Consultant Law Using a Trained Shopper Method

This study examines the community pharmacist's role as a self-care consultant and the impact of the Florida Pharmacist Prescribing Law on self-care consultant activities. The law granted a limited, independent prescribin authorit to Florida pharmacists. After the law had been in effect for about 18 months, trained shoppers were sent to 21 community pharmacies to obtain information on the interaction between the pharmacist and the shoper during a self-care consultation. Pharmacists generally spent very little time in assessing and answering a medical complaint question posed by a patient. This may explan why pharmacists performed very poorly in ascertaining general health and medication history information. The pharmacists provided very little counseling information on medications. However, they generally performed very well in conveying their concern to patients, communicating with patients, and complying with the law s labeling and quantity lirnitation requirements. The pharmacists devoted greater time and effort to the interactions when they prescribed allowed drugs than when they recommended over-the-counter (OTC) products.