Background: Community pharmacists influence the quality of antibiotic use, but specific tasks for community pharmacists to enhance quality of use when dispensing antibiotics have not been defined.
Objectives: To define tasks of the community pharmacist in antibiotic dispensing in the European Economic Area.
Methods: A Delphi study with community pharmacist experts in the European Economic Area. Statements on potential tasks during the antibiotic dispensing process were based on a systematic literature review. Participants rated the statements in three rounds from 1 (not important) to 9 (very important). Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% of experts rating a statement between 7 – 9. An online expert meeting was conducted between rounds one and two. Scores for all statements were analysed descriptively.
Results: The first round of the Delphi study was completed by 38 experts from 22 countries. Ninety-seven statements were rated within five themes: 1) collaboration with prescribers, 2) checking prescriptions and dispensing, 3) counselling, 4) education and 5) pharmacy services. Consensus of importance was reached for 71 out of 97 statements. Potential tasks included advising and collaborating with prescribers, guarding safety items, and having access to specific prescription information. Additionally, pharmacists should counsel patients related to the dispensed antibiotic and on antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases. Pharmacists should not dispense antibiotics without prescriptions or prescribe antibiotics.
Conclusions: Community pharmacists have an extensive role in antibiotic use. Our recommendations should be taken up by policy makers, educators, and community pharmacists to enhance the quality of antibiotic use.
