A SURVEY OF PATIENT-ORIENTATED SERVICES IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

This survey explored patient-orientated services, beyond processing of prescriptions and dispensing of medications, provided by the Malaysia n community pharmacist. The results revealed a trend towards the provi sion of such activities. Although this was not widely implemented by t he pharmacists, activities such as patient counselling and providing d rug information were part of their daily practice. Lack of time, large workload, and inadequate drug information sources were the constraint s cited by the pharmacists for the provision of such activities. If wi llingness and abilities to perform such activities were the significan t barriers, then educational programmes should be initiated to provide the missing competencies.