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Are pharmacists sufficiently trained?

(136 Posts)
growstuff Thu 25-May-23 17:55:09

Whitewave It might very well have been infected, but your own immune system beat it.

However, I do think there's a real danger that antibiotics will be over-prescribed. GPs already overprescribe them because they don't/can't wait for the results of swabs before prescribing the appropriate antibiotic.

Callistemon21 Thu 25-May-23 17:53:27

It depends.

Not all pharmacists are trained to Masters degree level.

Some are pharmacy assistants.

Casdon Thu 25-May-23 17:53:26

Just to clarify, independent prescribing is a post graduate qualification for pharmacists, not part of their initial training, so not all pharmacies can offer the service, because undertaking the qualification is a big commitment.

welbeck Thu 25-May-23 17:51:53

i wouldn't take a chance with soft tissue infection;
having seen what can happen, in worst case scenario, NF, in someone.
no criticism for the pharmacist at all.

Casdon Thu 25-May-23 17:51:39

I wouldn’t worry too much. Pharmacists will have to be trained and certified as independent prescribers to be able prescribe antibiotics, and will only be able to prescribe within the remit of a patient group directive. It’s very tightly managed, we’ve been doing it in Wales since April 2022.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 25-May-23 17:50:33

It isn’t a question of not trusting the pharmacist - you are reading something that is not there.

It is a question of whether the pharmacist has had sufficient training. I would say no by my experience. And no one should prescribe antibiotics to cover themselves! That is plain ridiculous.

Ziplok Thu 25-May-23 17:49:20

Actually, pharmacists train for 6 years, so I’m pretty certain that they are sufficiently trained. However, like GP’s, they are not specialists in a particular area in the way that a Consultant will be (though I imagine they will specialise in a particular area during their training, but as I’m not medically trained at all, I don’t know). However, they will have to keep up to date with new developments, just as any medical practitioner will have to.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 25-May-23 17:47:58

Yes I did trust the pharmacist, and still would if I thought (now )that they had sufficient training.

The point being that she immediately said after looking at it that it was infected, that I needed an oral antibiotic - she named the medicine- that she would prescribe it if she could - not to leave it as it looked nasty- in fact she mailed my surgery at home recommending the antibiotic and said if I phoned my surgery the doctor would probably E-mail the prescription to the pharmacy.

My doctor refused without seeing my foot, and recommended the minor injuries clinic.

MerylStreep Thu 25-May-23 17:47:23

I would imagine he was covering himself. We live in a litigious society.
I would trust a pharmacist.

dogsmother Thu 25-May-23 17:42:20

Erm an infection probably would need pathology for specific confirmation.
I would certainly trust a pharmacist and indeed consult when unsure.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 25-May-23 17:39:32

Just a simply thing really.

I consulted a pharmacist today because a blister on my foot had become very sore and inflamed and I wondered if it was infected.

Pharmacist told me that indeed it was and should not leave it until after the weekend, as it didn’t look very good at all - I am on holiday - she said I needed antibiotic and what a shame that she could not prescribe it yet - but the government is planning to allow pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics soon.

I then had to go to the local hospital with a drop in minor injury centre. The triage nurse said immediately - no not infected, but leave off the dressing and let it dry - she asked another clinician who said the same. It is already beginning to look better.

So - if said pharmacist had the ability to prescribe antibiotics, I would have taken them needlessly and it would not have done the trick anyway.

Makes you think.