Addressing inequalities in the provision of pharmaceutical services in Scotland: a proof of concept study of telepharmacy in rural Scotland

Project timescale: 01/08/10 - 31/07/11

Funder: Chief Scientist Office

Research Team:

Principal Investigator - Professor Christine Bond, University of Aberdeen

Dr Brian McKinstry, University of Edinburgh

Professor Frances Mair, University of Glasgow

Mr David Heaney, Centre for Rural Health, University of Aberdeen

Dr Jennifer Cleland, University of Aberdeen

Dr Margaret Watson, University of Aberdeen

Mr James Ferguson, Scottish Centre for Telehealth and NHS Grampian

Professor George Downie, University of Aberdeen

Project Summary:

This application proposes the use of video-linkage technology to provide community pharmacy services in a rural area currently without a registered community pharmacy. The project will focus specifically on advice on prescribed medicines, advice on minor illness, and supervision of the sale or supply of P medicines, advice on healthy lifestyles such as smoking cessation and emergency contraception, whilst recognising and monitoring other services that may be provided. In the longer term this technology could be transferable to other situations e.g. referral from a community pharmacy directly to a medical practitioner. This exploitation of technology to provide innovative accesss to services is in line with Government policy