Pharmacists to offer chronic patients detailed advice

Pharmacists in Belgium will from October 1 be paid to provide comprehensive advice to certain chronic patients about the taking of their prescription drugs, Le Soir and De Standaard report today. Unlike the usual advice accompanying the delivery of a drug, the new service will last about fifteen minutes, to be repeated every three months. Furthermore, it won’t take place at the counter, but in a separate room, where patient confidentiality will be respected. The service will be completely free of charge for patients. The scheme will initially concern asthma sufferers - the disease affects nearly 10% of children and pensioners, as well as 7% of adults. The Belgian Pharmaceutical Association has signed an agreement with health insurance organisations for the financing of the scheme, which will see pharmacists receive €20 per consultation.