Collaborative prescribing: a qualitative exploration of a role for pharmacists in mental health.

Background: Collaborative prescribing has been proposed as an extension of practice for advanced pharmacist practitioners. A lack of research investigating how pharmacists might be most effective as prescribers in mental health was identified.

Objective: To explore health professionals' and consumers' attitudes and beliefs that relate to the role of specialist mental health pharmacists working as collaborative prescribers within their advanced scope of practice in secondary care.

New Zealand community pharmacists' views of their roles in meeting medicine-related needs for people with mental illness.

Background: Mental illness is common among the New Zealand population. Several roles have been identified for community pharmacists in providing care to people with mental illness; however, the specifics of these roles have not been studied in New Zealand.

Objectives: To explore the services currently provided by community pharmacists, the barriers that may be encountered, and possible solutions when providing care to people with mental illness.