OBJECTIVES

: A patient-centered approach is an important component in the evaluation of healthcare services. To evaluate the effect of medication consultation on patients, we did our study from April 2016 through September 2017.

METHODS

: A total of 315 patients, who referred to pharmacy for receiving his/her prescription, were enrolled in study. Patients could freely choose for getting or refusing medication consultation. Both groups were followed up after two weeks

RESULTS

: Of 136 patients, 43.17% intended to take consultation. The mean age between consulted and not consulted groups showed significant difference (34 ± 8.5, versus 47.3 ± 9.1) (P = 0.03). There was a significant relationship between education level and drug use (P = 0.02). Female patients were significantly more careful in taking their medication on time than male ones (P = 0.03). The age group 20 to 40 years more accurately than taking the right dose and right time of their drug use than other age groups (P = 0.04). The chief complaints of patients consulted at the pharmacy were significantly more resolved than patients who were not willing to take medical advice (P = 0.02) and consulted patients, had better knowledge about taking their antibiotic in comparison with patients without consultation (P = 0.01). About 10.2% of patients in not consulted at group the pharmacy had trouble taking their medications, while 16.7% in patients who had received medical advice (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

: Pharmacist intervention was associated with significant and positive changes in patient satisfaction. While patients probably continue to prefer a physician-led service, they value aspects of a pharmacy service. Patients generally prefer discussing medications with the family physician, but experiencing the community pharmacy-led service results in an attitudinal shift toward the pharmacist. We suggest a benefit in developing the community pharmacist's role as a reviewer of, and adviser on, patients' medications