Pharmacists’ Attitudes Toward Including Diagnosis or Clinical Indication on Prescriptions

Abstract

Specific Aims: To assess Arizona pharmacists’: support for the inclusion of diagnosis or clinical indication on prescription orders; current access to diagnosis or clinical indication on prescriptions orders; perceived barriers to and/or concerns about requiring diagnosis or clinical indication on prescription orders in Arizona. Methods: This was a descriptive study with data obtained from questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of 3 recall questions from the participant’s experiences, 11 questions regarding the participant’s opinion about the topic, and 5 descriptive and demographic questions about the participant. Main Results: Participants were licensed pharmacists in the state of Arizona who attended a presentation on enhanced pharmacist clinical decision-making information at the Arizona Pharmacy Association Southwest Clinical Pharmacy Seminar. 96.3% of participants supported requiring diagnosis or clinical indication on prescription orders. They reported a mean of 25.2% of current prescription orders including a diagnosis or clinical indication. Major challenges identified in requiring diagnosis or clinical indication included potential software transmission problems, prescriber having no definitive diagnosis or clinical indication for a medication, additional prescriber time, and concerns that inclusion may result in insurers rejecting claims for off-label use. Conclusions: Most respondents supported requiring diagnosis or clinical indication on prescription orders and reported about one-fourth of prescription orders they currently receive including a diagnosis or clinical indication. Multiple perceived barriers and concerns were identified by the participants.