A chain of adverse consequences: The impact of medicine use reviews on pharmacists

The finding are based on a survey of 9000 Community Pharmacist Members of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association that represents the interests of the vast majority of practicing dispensing pharmacists in the UK. The finding show a set of adverse outcomes from the introduction of incentivised medicine use reviews in Pharmacies. The findings show a chain of adverse consequences including reduced commitment, increased bullying, work strain, emotional stress and a substantial level of intentions to quit. The work strain and emotional stress of pharmacists can only erode their achievement of high levels of safe dispensing of drugs for patients. The findings provide a starting point for a cross profession debate to re-establish the original intention of the MUR of providing consultation with patients to identify and correct poor adherence to the correct use of medicines by using the pharmacists’ professional knowledge to the full. For employers the findings show clearly that the way pharmacists are managed is in many cases unproductive as the financial gains from extra MUR income are being consumed through the extra organisational costs that arise from unsupportive management and bullying tactics that lower pharmacists’ commitment, increase their stress and intentions to quit.