Electronic prescription as a driver for digitalization in Finnish pharmacies.

Background: Finnish community pharmacies have undergone digitalization during the past decade. The introduction of the electronic prescription has had a significant impact on pharmacy workflows, such as the dispensing process. This inevitably has significant sociotechnical implications.

Effects of electronic prescription on pharmacy productivity.

Electronic prescriptions affect pharmacy workflows. In this study, we measure the workflow efficiency in pharmacies in 2006 and 2012: both, in traditional workflow when electronic prescription was not in use, and in new direct delivery workflow, which is the mandated workflow model in the case of electronic prescriptions.

Reduced severity and improved control of self-reported asthma in Finland during 2001-2010.

Background: Asthma and allergies are common and cause substantial burden in symptoms and suffering, hospitalizations and medication costs. However, despite the high prevalence, asthma burden has already decreased in Finland in 2000s.

Objective: We carried out an asthma barometer survey in all Finnish pharmacies to study changes in asthma severity and control, and use of health care services from 2001 to 2010.

Starting an automated dose dispensing service provided by community pharmacies in Finland.

Background: In an automated dose dispensing (ADD) service, medicines are packed in unit-dose bags according to administration times. When the service is initiated, the patient's medication list is reconciled and the medication is reviewed on the basis of this list.

Objective: The aim of this national study was to investigate how the medication list was reconciled, what type of medication review was conducted, and what changes were made to the patient's medications when the ADD service is initiated.

Comprehensive medication review: development of a collaborative procedure.

This commentary describes the development and evidence-base of the Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) procedure for community and hospital settings in Finland. The development was coordinated by a national steering group. The group collaborated with 26 experienced pharmacists who developed and tested CMR procedures during a 1.

Continuing education course to attain collaborative comprehensive medication review competencies.

Objective: To implement a long-term continuing education course for pharmacy practitioners to acquire competency in and accreditation for conducting collaborative comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs).

Design: A 1(1/2)- year curriculum for practicing pharmacists that combined distance learning (using e-learning tools) and face-to-face learning was created. The training consisted of 5 modules: (1) Multidisciplinary Collaboration; (2) Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy; (3) Rational Pharmacotherapy; (4) CMR Tools; and (5) Optional Studies.