The Role of the Community Pharmacist in Providing Drug and Health Information: A Pilot Survey Among the Public, Physicians, and Pharmacists

It was hypothesized that the public, physicians, and pharmacists in Vancouver, British Columbia, hold similar opinions about the pharmacist's role in providing drug and health information. Aspects of this role were examined using closed-ended or open-ended surveys among Vancouver shoppers, general practice physicians, and community pharmacists. Pharmacists considered themselves more important than physicians or the public considered them for monitroing compliance and for providing information about prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and general health converns. On open-ended surveys, “pharmacist” was mentioned less often than expected for these cognitive services. The hypothesis of similar perceptions was not retained, suggesting that Vancouver pharmacists must market their capabilities more aggressively to both physicians and the public.