Perceived current and future roles of UK-based community pharmacy professionals in the long-term management of acne

Sonnex, Kimberley; Thornley, Tracey; Fleming, Naomi; Lakha, Alishah; Lecky, Donna M.; Pillay, Indira; Patel, Shazia; Anderson, Claire; Boyd, Matthew; Ashiru-Oredope, Diane

Abstract

Introduction: Acne is a common skin condition treated in community pharmacy but moderate to severe cases may need referral to general practice for treatment that may include topical or oral antimicrobial treatments. Pharmacy teams working in the community are well-placed to manage acne treatments in line with NICE guidance. Objectives: To explore the perceived current and future roles of community pharmacy (CP) teams alongside needs to achieve potential future roles. Additionally, usefulness of the TARGET acne ‘How to’ toolkit to support these roles was sought. Methods: A mixed-methods electronic survey of UK-based CP professionals and stakeholders in March 2023. Results: 54 pharmacy professionals and stakeholders responded to the survey. The current confidence of pharmacy professionals in managing acne was rated as moderate and reviewing long-term medications for acne prescribed by another healthcare professional was seen as a future role. The needs identified to undertake such a role were: training, availability of prescribing or supply frameworks, and appropriate remuneration. The TARGET acne resources were thought of as being very useful for acne management. Conclusions: Potential future roles for CP have been identified, alongside additional needs to undertake these roles; the TARGET acne ‘How to’ resources could support pharmacy professionals in the management and review of antimicrobial treatment for acne.

Citation

Sonnex, K., Thornley, T., Fleming, N., Lakha, A., Lecky, D. M., Pillay, I., Patel, S., Anderson, C., Boyd, M., & Ashiru-Oredope, D. (2023). Perceived current and future roles of UK-based community pharmacy professionals in the long-term management of acne. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, 11, Article 100310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100310

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 12, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 20, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 18, 2023
• Journal: Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy
• Print ISSN: 2667-2766
• Electronic ISSN: 2667-2766
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Article Number: 100310
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100310
• Keywords: Acne; Antimicrobial stewardship; Antimicrobial resistance; Community pharmacy; Pharmacist; Pharmacy technician
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/22150768
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667276623000914
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Perceived current and future roles of UK-based community pharmacy professionals in the long-term management of acne; Journal Title: Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100310; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.