Abstract
The purpose of this study is to survey on the pharmacists' medication teaching service for topical steroids in regions without separation of dispensary from medical practice. The questionnaire was sent to 199 pharmacists who work inregions without separation of dispensary from medical practice via mail, e-mail or fax. 112 out of 199 pharmacists requested have answered the survey (response rate 56.28%). The questionnaire was composed of 4 categories with demographic characteristics, generally explained contents, adverse effects and precaution in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. We analyzed the questionnaire by the 6 items with reference to the practical guidelines for medication teaching service. The medication teaching service for topical steroids in terms of generic name, physical characteristics, efficacy, usage and dosage, warning and precaution has been well provided by pharmacists in regions without separation of dispensary except for means and duration of optimal storage. The majority of pharmacists provided their patients with 4 and more kinds of items (69.64%), but the generally recommended 4 kinds of items such as generic name, efficacy, usage and dosage, warning and precaution were provided in as low as 48.22% of the respondents. These results show that the medication teaching service for topical steroids in terms of means and duration of optimal storage (45.54%) and the generally recommended 4 kinds of items have not been enough provided by pharmacists in regions without separation of dispensary. Taken together pharmacists in these regions should make a proper guideline for medication teaching service that can prevent the adverse effects of topical steroids.
