Minnesota News: Counseling

July 1, 2007 12:10 pm Topics: Patient counseling

Reprinted from the July 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.

Upon receipt of a new prescription or a new drug order, following a review of the patient’s record, a pharmacist must personally initiate discussion of matters, which in the professional judgment of the pharmacist will enhance or optimize drug therapy with each patient or the agent or caregiver of the patient. It is no longer acceptable for a designee, such as a clerk or technician, to make the offer to counsel on the pharmacist’s behalf. Instead, the pharmacist must personally initiate the counseling process. A patient has the right to refuse the pharmacist’s offer to counsel, but such refusal should be documented.

The counseling must be in person, whenever applicable, may be supplemented with written material, and must include appropriate elements of patient counseling, including:
1. the name and description of the drug;
2. the dosage form, dose, route of administration, and duration of drug therapy;
3. intended use of the drug and expected action;
4. special directions and precautions for preparation, administration, and use by the patient;
5. common severe side effects, adverse effects, or interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required if they occur;
6. techniques for self-monitoring of drug therapy;
7. proper storage;
8. prescription refill information;
9. action to be taken in the event of a missed dose; and
10. pharmacist comments relevant to the patient’s drug therapy, including any other information peculiar to the specific patient or drug.

The pharmacist must counsel the patient on a refilled prescription if deemed necessary according to the pharmacist’s professional judgment. The consultation must be in person whenever applicable.