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Electronically transmitted prescriptions not picked up at pharmacies in Sweden
1Apoteket Västerås Hospital EA, Västerås Central Hospital, SE-721 89 Västerås, Sweden.
Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy : RSAP
|March 2, 2010
Summary
The study found that 2.5% of electronically transmitted prescriptions (ETPs) were not picked up, with higher rates among men and young adults. Many uncollected ETPs were duplicates or no longer needed, indicating potential waste.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Public Health
Background:
- Electronically transmitted prescriptions (ETPs) have increased in Sweden since 1995.
- This increase is associated with a rise in uncollected prescriptions at pharmacies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rates of uncollected ETPs.
- To analyze these rates by drug type, patient age, and gender.
- To identify patient-reported reasons for not picking up prescriptions.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed ETPs from a 3-month period in 2002.
- A mail survey of patients in Sörmland, Sweden, investigated reasons for non-pickup.
- Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis of frequency differences.
Main Results:
- The overall uncollected ETP rate was 2.5%.
- Men and adolescents/young adults showed higher uncollected rates.
- Antibiotic prescriptions had higher-than-average uncollected rates.
- Approximately 60% of uncollected prescriptions were duplicates or not needed; 20% were due to unintentional nonadherence.
Conclusions:
- The overall rate of uncollected ETPs is low (2.5%), but significant variations exist by age and gender.
- Adolescents and young adults exhibit higher uncollected rates.
- Duplicate prescriptions represent a substantial portion of abandoned ETPs, suggesting potential for improved prescribing and dispensing efficiency.
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