Patients' views on their consultation experience in community pharmacies and the potential prescribing role for pharmacists in Nigeria

The study aims to explore the views of patients of community pharmacists on their consultation experiences, and the possible extension of prescribing rights to pharmacists in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey was conducted in April to May 2012 in Jos, Nigeria, among 432 patients of community pharmacists recruited through a convenience sampling strategy. Data collected were entered into SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) to generate descriptive statistics. Of the 432 questionnaires administered, 374 were filled and returned, representing a response rate of 86.6%. The results revealed that 342 (91.4%) respondents were satisfied with their consultation visits, and patient education was a vital part of the pharmacists' consultations as 298 (79.7%) patients reported better understanding of their illness after their consultations. Three hundred and forty-six (92.5%) respondents supported an extended role in prescribing for pharmacists in Nigeria. However, 298 (79.7%) respondents were more comfortable with the pharmacist prescribing from a restricted formulary, and 269 (71.9%) of them would prefer to see their doctor if their conditions get worse. This study provides an understanding on the experiences of patients during community pharmacists' consultations and patients' views on extending prescribing rights to pharmacists in Nigeria.