Finally, to evaluate effectiveness

of pharmacist prescribers in SMS, research would be needed into client outcomes and cost effectiveness. 1. Colquhoun A. Drug misuse: how we can make an impact. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 2010; 285: 62. 2. Tang W. Medicines, Ethics and Practice: The professional guide for pharmacists. Edition 36. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. 2012. Andrew Evans1, Anne Hinchliffe1, Neil Jenkins2 1Public Health Wales NHS Trust, Cardiff, UK, 2NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, Cardiff, UK To report the findings from a patient questionnaire following the introduction of NHS seasonal influenza (flu)vaccination at community pharmacies in Wales Differences were PF-562271 observed between some groups in both vaccination history and stated likelihood of vaccination had they not been vaccinated in a pharmacy Community pharmacy can reach patients in target groups who otherwise would not be vaccinated For otherwise healthy individuals, flu is an unpleasant but self-limiting disease. However, for older people and those with underlying health conditions the consequences of infection can be serious and potentially fatal1. In Wales vaccination is recommended for people aged 65 years and over and those under

65 years with specific risk factors such as respiratory disease and diabetes. To encourage vaccination uptake in 2012/13, Welsh Government instructed all Health Boards (LHBs) to make arrangements with community pharmacies to administer flu vaccinations. tuclazepam Whilst the service specification varied between LHBs a single patient questionnaire

was used across GSK-3 inhibitor review Wales to assess the acceptability of the community pharmacy service. This evaluation considers whether certain groups may be particularly suited to targeting by pharmacies. Following vaccination patients were invited to complete a self-complete, anonymous questionnaire and hand it in before leaving the pharmacy. The questionnaire was designed by Welsh Government following a review of similar questionnaires used elsewhere and with input from LHBs and Public Health Wales. Questions included whether the patient had a vaccination last year and whether they would have had a vaccine had the service not been available. The total number of vaccines administered was obtained from claims data. Completed questionnaires were sent to the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership where responses were collated using Microsoft Excel. Data were analysed by z test using Stata version 12. Ethical approval was not required for this service evaluation. In total 1537 patients were vaccinated at 81 pharmacies. 1151 patients returned a questionnaire (74.9%). Almost a third of patients (30.8%, 350/1136) had not been vaccinated in the previous year, with the proportions of people aged 65 and over and under 65 being 16.7% (56/336) and 37.1% (284/765) respectively (difference = 20.5%, 95% CI 15.2% – 25.7% p < 0.001).