Medication maintenance of mentally ill patients by a pharmacist in a community setting

The use of a community pharmacy as a facility for medication maintenance services usually provided by a mental health center was evaluated. The project pharmacist was affiliated with the community mental health center, the community pharmacy facility was borrowed for purposes of this study. Records and prepackaged medication were transported by the pharmacy-clinic. Medication histories were taken and maintained by the pharmacist. Problems such as medication noncompliance, drug side effects, drug interactions and minor alterations in the patients mental status were handled by the pharmacist. Telephone consultations with a psychiatrist were also available. Twenty-two patients were involved in the study over an eight-month period. The evaluation consisted of a patient acceptance questionnaire and a retrospective chart review analyzing the clinical response of patients. Data suggest that selected stabilized psychiatric patients can be safely maintained in the community pharmacy. A carefully structured program and a pharmacist with special competencies are felt to be prerequisites for this type of service.