The influence of generic substitution on the content of patient-pharmacist communication in Swedish community pharmacies.

Objectives: The objective was to study the relationship between the length and content of patient-pharmacist communication in community pharmacies, and generic substitution.

Methods: The study was conducted in six community pharmacies in Sweden. Non-participant observations with audio recordings and short structured interviews were conducted.

Pharmacist-patient communication in Swedish community pharmacies.

Background: It is important that pharmacists counsel patients about their prescribed medicines, as it leads to improved therapeutic outcome, increases compliance, and decreases confusion and insecurity. Studies have shown that the number of patients getting any pharmaceutical counseling varies greatly. Swedish pharmacists claim that the focus of the dialog with the patient has switched from pharmaceutical counseling to economy and regulations.