Evidence based information on drug use during pregnancy: assessment of community pharmacist in Córdoba, Argentina.

EINARSON, A.; MAZZIERI, M.R.; SOLA, N.H.; UEMA, S.; EINARSON, T.R.; GRUPO DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN FARMACIA PRÁCTICA DE CÓRDOBA: COMINI, L.R. Y DEMÁS INVESTIGADORES PARTICIPANTES EN EL PROYECTO

Pharmaceutical Care España

Sanidad Ediciones

Lugar: Madrid; Año: 2002 vol. 4 p. 209 - 221

1139-6202

Pharmacists, as a source of information, are important community health care professionals who are often called upon for information on the safety of drugs during pregnancy. The objective was to evaluate whether community pharmacists provide evidence-based information to women and health care professionals inquiring about specific drug use during pregnancy. Forty-five randomly selected pharmacies in Córdoba, Argentina were surveyed by a group of pharmacists, some posing as surrogate shoppers and some asking as pharmacists doing a research project. Information was requested about the relative safety/risks of medications during pregnancy in three scenarios. Pharmacists seldom provided evidence-based advice; results were similar to previous surveys in other countries. Pharmacists should be encouraged to access such information and take a more proactive approach, rather than automatically referring the patient to the physician.