Why do patients discontinue antidepressant therapy early? A qualitative study.

Background: Current guidelines for antidepressant prescribing are that treatment should be continued following the resolution of symptoms: six months after a first episode and for at least two years for those with previous episodes. Despite this, sub-optimal treatment duration still predominates. Patients have negative and positive views on antidepressants, which change throughout their treatment journey.

Does training in motivational interviewing for community pharmacists improve outcomes for methadone patients? A cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: Feasibility of pharmacist delivered motivational interviewing (MI) to methadone patients has been demonstrated, but its efficacy is untested. This study aimed to determine whether pharmacists trained in MI techniques can improve methadone outcomes.

Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial by pharmacy, with community pharmacies across Scotland providing supervised methadone to >10 daily patients, aged >18 years, started on methadone <24 months.

Inequalities in the distribution of the costs of alcohol misuse in Scotland: a cost of illness study.

Aims: To examine the distribution of the costs of alcohol misuse across Scotland in 2009/2010, in relation to deprivation.

Methods: A cost of illness approach was used. Alcohol-related harmful effects were assessed for inclusion using a literature review.

Prevalence of common chronic respiratory diseases in drug misusers: a cohort study.

Background: A randomised controlled trial of substance misuse indicated that many patients who use methadone have respiratory symptoms and/or are prescribed respiratory medications. There is little research in this area.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of respiratory disease and prescriptions among drug misusers.

Patient evaluation of a community pharmacy medications management service.

Background: A patient-centered approach is increasingly recognized as an important component in the evaluation of healthcare services.

Objective: To assess patient satisfaction with, attitudes toward, and expectations of or experience with community pharmacy in general, and to evaluate the effect of the community pharmacy-led medications management service on these factors.

Methods: Postal questionnaire surveys were completed at baseline and after 12 months (follow-up) as part of a randomized controlled trial of the service.