Community pharmacists' views, attitudes and early experiences of over-the-counter simvastatin

Abstract

Aim: To describe community pharmacists' views, attitudes and early experiences of OTC simvastatin.

Method: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of the main pharmacist in 2000 randomly selected community pharmacy premises in Great Britain (approximately 15%).

Main outcome measure: The questionnaire comprised items on: attitudes to OTC simvastatin; continuing education; sales; and general views and experiences. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis of responses to open questions.

Results: Questionnaires were returned by 1,156 community pharmacists (57.8%). Nine hundred and fifty-six respondents (82.7%) reported no sales of simvastatin in the previous fourteen days. Eighty-two (7.1%) sold one pack, 40 (3.5%) sold two packs and 18 (1.6%) sold three packs or more (60 did not answer). Almost all respondents (1,086, 93.9%) stated that they had participated in continuing education. Most (691/1,148, 60.1%) strongly agreed or agreed that they were entirely confident about selling simvastatin and that community pharmacists could make an appropriate risk assessment for the use of simvastatin (898/1,149, 78.2%). Responses to the open question identified a number of themes including: need for access to clinical information; cost as a barrier to supply; those purchasing were least likely to benefit; and the lack of an evidence base for the OTC dose.

Conclusion: Community pharmacists surveyed had undertaken an array of continuing education and felt confident to undertake cardiovascular risk assessment. However, very few sales of OTC simvastatin had been made and a variety of issues were identified, particularly relating to the evidence base, access to clinical information, cost and the product licence.