Counselling is a important part of treatment all the patients specially  in case of children.So at first Community Pharmacists should take special training about the Disease.Then they should try to give enough time for counselling.

No.. In our hospital (basically its a 1200 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital) where we come across at least 300 out patients per day it is difficult to dispense the drug, no question of counseling.

So we have took an initiative and started a patient counseling center exactly opposite to the dispensing chamber, and the diploma students were placed in the dispensing counter under the supervision of registered pharmacists... Doctor of Pharmacy students were placed in the patient counseling center under the supervision of Ph.D scholars.

Now the patients gets the medicines in the counter and reaches the counseling center where we provide the counseling for 5-20min for a patient depending on the diagnosis and treatment. We do even provide them with patient information leaflets.

Studies in New Zealand community pharmacy suggest it is a very small proportion of the time spent by pharmacists. Would be interesting to know how much more time is spent by pharmacy assistants in this activity!

Probably not enough time. It's rarely offered to me, but I'm not the one who needs counseling. I believe the elderly need the most help with this. I don't blame the pharmacists; they have a lot to do and a few minutes spent counseling a patient seemed like an eternity when I was working in that environment.  

Hi Sultan,

Let me begin by stating categorically that I AM NOT an expert in the field, just a consumer.  I CAN however relate my experience and observations which might give you a more balanced view.  I am a US Marine veteran and in the ten years I have received medications from the Cincinnati Veterans Administration Hospital I have had one serious drug interaction that came about primarily because I failed to read the enclosed information sheets.  I will say that the VA automated refill line has the option to ring a Pharmacist if one so chooses.

In my home town of Fairfield Ohio, USA, we are very fortunate to have a number highly engaged Pharmacists.  In particular the Head of the local Kroger (Food/Retail Chain) Pharmacy has always taken time to speak with patients if he can.  They also staff counselors and maintain a private area for counseling if the patient is willing to wait till someone can get to them. 

The local Walgreens Pharmacist has always been available anytime I have asked and like-wise CVS Pharmacy where I take a friend to get her prescriptions filled nearly always offers her the opportunity to ask questions or speak with the pharmacist if she wants.  Perhaps this is the difference between an institutional and small town setting.  I hope this has been helpful.

Dear Shawn Nolte,

I am totally in agreement with your comments on the important aspects of product information leaflet (PIL) ,each point is very important for the patient. What we need  to address the patients at the time of dispensing the medications/refills is each and every aspects on the medications (dose,timing,interactions,precautions,etc,), always think medications are suppose to take with CAUTION.

Salute to all the Professional and dedicated pharmacists around your community who are helpful in adherence and compliance to medications.  

No. Most  Pharmacists do not spend time informing the patron on the medication. I have personally observed the transactions at a least 5 major retail pharmacies.  Most of the persons receiving the medication were not questioned, provided information, or asked a clarification question to see if the person who received the medication understood the information that was provided.

Well Said Shazia,

The role of the pharmacist is not JUST dispenser  anymore-they are the true mentors and torch bearers of the entire medication process -either in the ambulatory or in the hospital settings. Counselling is accorded due preference and the adherence by the patient community will depend largely on this too.

Hope added points to the wider discussion.

I have worked in retail pharmacy and not in hospital pharmacy,I know that there is completely different scenario in hospital pharmacy and retail pharmacy shops that u find on streets but yet I would like to draw some attention on how work is divided into dispensers and pharmacist in retail pharmacies where pharmacies needs to give only final check and signature(initials) on labels of medicine boxes so that he can get enough time to give some counselling tips to patients. Dispensers are usually two so that they can divide there job and work without hustle and bustle.I have worked in pharmacies where endless prescriptions used to come daily but if the work is divided more time can be to patients,moreover there are also health care assistants which holds department of OTC medicines so that patients don't have to consult pharmacies so daily illnesses and common diseases. Pharmacists thus can spend time on patients who suffer from disorders which are chronic and needs assistance.