Asda set to provide prescription-free asthma inhalers

Well done ASDA pushing Pharmacy forward I like it congratulations Messers Evans and Tuddy

I guess its hard to sell the 'improved access' offered by an emergency supply.

I would welcome some further information on how the service will be audited to prevent abuse - I have often thought this was lacking from Emergency Supply provision of Ventolins and similar - often only the diligence of one Pharmacist has indentified those over reliant on Ventolin (i.e. obtaining emergency supplies on regular basis in addition to Rx) and not understanding the benefit of preventative medication. I would also like to see this service extending to preventative medication to ensure that asthmatics are able to obtain a full service at the Pharmacy - I don't truly see a difference between Beconae/Flixonase and Becotide/Flixotide.

Is this a newsworthy story?? I already provide salbutamol under a PGD in my shops. This is in addition to Viagra,Cialis,Propecia, Vaniqa and Trimethorpim.

Hi rehan
Are ur prices competitive

I would have thought that having 2 salbutamol/ventolin inhalers every 8 weeks, meant that the patient's asthma was out of control and the patient should be referred back to their GP.

My training has strongly indicated that asthmatic patients using their salbutamol inhaler more than 2 or 3 times a week were not either using their preventer or not using it properly.

Out of control and out of touch....people want a quick fix and not good long term management of their condition until they get an exacerbation....will Asda pharmacists take clinical responsibility............go to the deli counter coz your roated garlic chicken is ready..X

Nice one Gerry Diamond! Completely agree, out of touch & out of control. This is big business looking for heightened CUSTOMER traffic not patient care. This bypasses all the efforts we need to make as a profession to manage conditions like asthma in one consumer driven step. With asda promulgating this sort of clinical care who needs enemies elsewhere.

This is like parents who are afraid to say no to their kids. They know what's best for them but don't want to upset them. Supermarkets like to play the 'listening to customers' line, but forget the professional responsibility that's required of getting customers to listen to us. If self-treatment of conditions like asthma was safe it would already be available OTC. Customers may want it, (they'd like the moon on a stick and Christmas every day if you asked them), but it doesn't mean it's safe and correct to provide it.

If A Watson (or is that A. S. Watson) is so easily pleased imagine how he/she would feel if ASDA actually did something worthwhile to promote the profession like aligning their own Corporate vision with that of the RPS and assisted all their pharmacists to become prescribers.

http://www.rpharms.com/about-us/our-vision.asp

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society believes that pharmacists should be:

The recognised professional member of the healthcare team responsible for choosing
Pharmacotherapy

The universally accessible frontline clinical provider of all aspects of pharmaceutical care

The healthcare professional entrusted by patients to take care of their every pharmaceutical need

The recognised expert professional for medicines governance, information and management

The guardian of patient safety and welfare, maximising the benefits of medicines and minimising the risks caused by adverse effects

The leader in pharmaceutical innovation, research and developments of medicines, and of the delivery of pharmaceutical services

The patient’s safeguard in the research, design, manufacture and supply of quality assured medicines

The educator of all health professionals, the public and patients on the safe and effective use of medicines

Accessible to all patients as a source of advice on health improvement and well-being

Does the BNF and BTS not say to review asthma treatment every 3 months??? Where is the 'step up and step down' and general review if ventolins are being dished out like glorified sweets?? This is a joke and just another cheap way of making money, just like MURs, JOKE!!

Good for patients that want a quick and cheap relief when out of breath and obiously good for company's profitablity. But again more work for pharmacist when asda locums took a pay cut as long as 3 months ago.

I thought it was a big step forward, pharmacy needs to create a niche for herself. The PGD does not remove your professional judgement. From patients' perspective, it is a cheaper way of obtaining POM and as a pharmacist supplying ventolin as a PGD is less restrictive unlike emergency supply.
We are all screaming for clinical role so may we embrace this development!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, but Rehan, you are not a multiple ! And you don't trumpet your services !

Yes, well said. At the end of the day, Asda is a business who's main focus is making money. Having had to go to several of their daily "huddle" meetings. I can confirm the main agenda is always money. I don't believe a company with this frame of mind should be allowed to corrupt the pharmaceutical industry in this way.

Gerry Diamond, how dare you use your clinical knowledge and experience! It raises a very valid point - I do hope that all these Ventolins being brought are being recorded and flagged when necessary.

I price what the service is worth. Asda may have a more competitive price but what good does underpricing a service do for pharmacy?

I agree! you have to charge what the service is worth.

I would say every pharmacist with at least ONE year experience is perfectly capable of prescribing any common drug under PGD which is signed by doctors and superintendent pharmacist. Most patients have their ventolin on repeat and don't get to see their doctors for like a year; so its not any different and here at least they pay for the service.

I am more concerned about what is in it for Pharmacist other than more work!!