Pharmaceutical care and community pharmacists' understanding of bisphosphonate dosing information

To evaluate pharmacists' knowledge of approved dosing information for cyclic etidronate, alendronate and risedronate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis; and to assess its relationship to demographic and pharmaceutical care factors.

Fax-back questionnaire to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge of approved bisphosphonate dosing information and their involvement in pharmaceutical/patient care activities through independent indices.

Community pharmacies in both urban and rural settings in British Columbia.

Pharmacies surveyed with 22% response rate (163 pharmacists), 47% male and 54% owners/managers. Most were independent (31%) or volunteer chain (28%) pharmacies.

Mean bisphosphonate dosing knowledge score was 76 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD). Mean scores (+/-SD) for questions pertaining to alendronate (92 +/- 13%) were higher than risedronate (81 +/- 26%) and etidronate (48 +/- 19). Pharmacists were least familiar with approved dosing instructions regarding the lack of need to remain upright after etidronate dosing, spacing out of etidronate from food/antacids/calcium/vitamins, and whether risedronate may be taken at bedtime. Factors found to affect pharmacists' bisphosphonate knowledge scores included employment in higher volume pharmacies and greater number of years in practice. Pharmacists in the upper tertile of pharmaceutical care index scores had similar bisphosphonate knowledge scores to those delivering less pharmaceutical care. Pharmacist gender, being owner/manager, and continuing education hours were not significantly associated with higher knowledge or pharmaceutical care scores.

There is a wide range of knowledge of bisphosphonate dosing and delivery of pharmaceutical care amongst community pharmacists surveyed. Given the importance of proper bisphosphonate dosing to optimize drug absorption and to minimize toxicity, pharmacist education should be a priority.