A Feasibility Study: The role of Community Pharmacists in the Identification and Treatment of Hazardous Drinking

Excessive alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for physical social and mental well-being, and there is good evidence that early intervention can be effective in modifying this. 

The pharmacy contract in England &Wales includes the promotion of healthy lifestyles and prescription-linked public health interventions as an Essential Service. As the Pharmacist’s Public Health role develops, supportive evidence for feasibility and effectiveness is required. 

Leeds PCT Alcohol and Substance Misuse Lead Tony Goodall and Leeds Pharmaceutical Committee Development Officer Peter Dawson carried out a feasibility study with pharmacists from 6 Community Pharmacies.  The study was designed to answer the research questions:

1. Can a Pharmacist, as part of their usual working day, opportunistically identify Hazardous Drinkers by using a FAST Questionnaire?
2. Similarly, in that setting, can a Pharmacist conduct BRIEF Interventions?

The researchers concluded that all Pharmacists were highly motivated and wanted to implement the service, but only one Pharmacy was able, through an innovative approach and staff involvement, to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting FAST questionnaires and delivering Brief Interventions.

All Pharmacists found the service to have potential value.

The feasibility of introducing such a service into Pharmacies is therefore dependent on the following key factors:

• involvement of all staff
• private consulting area
• patient enrollment method should reflect the in house situation as employed by Pharmacy E
• availability of pharmacist for brief interventions in face of competing demands.

The Medicine Use Review (Advanced Services, Pharmacy Contract), with revised funding, could provide the vehicle for such a service.

The prevalence of hazardous drinking detected in this study is consistent with other reports and describes a major health issue.  The high numbers of family members with drink problems might be a significant and largely hidden influence on the mental and physical health of those around them.

Download the full report here