Evaluating the role of Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians in Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Acne Management using TARGET resources

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)(1). Pharmacy professionals (Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians) promote good antibiotic prescribing practice. The traditional role of pharmacy technicians in supporting pharmacists and patients has expanded alongside the clinical expansion of pharmacist roles(2). This paper focuses on the opinion of pharmacy technicians and their role in the review of acne management and the evaluation of the UKHSA TARGET ‘How to review acne’ resources.Aims:To explore the impact of the TARGET resources on the capability, opportunity and motivation of pharmacy technicians in general practice in managing patients with acne, to evaluate the usefulness of the ‘How to review acne’ resources.Methods:A quantitative study using an electronic survey asking UK-based pharmacy technicians to rate their agreement on a 5-point Likert scale with 21 predefined statements, themed on the COM-B model and usefulness of the specific TARGET resources for acne.Findings:The survey found that capability and opportunity in managing acne in the group familiar with TARGET resources was higher than the group not familiar with TARGET resources. Scores for motivation in both groups were high; pharmacy technicians have the motivation to undertake infection management roles, whether or not they are familiar with the TARGET toolkit. The toolkit ‘How to review acne’ resources were overall rated as useful in supporting the review of patients with acne.Conclusion:The TARGET toolkit is an effective resource that helps to upskill pharmacy technicians in the area of AMS, increasing capability and opportunity in the management of acne

Pilot and quantitative evaluation of the TARGET acne toolkit by UK pharmacy professionals working in general practice

Background: Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common skin condition sometimes needing topical or oral antibiotic treatment. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians (together known as pharmacy professionals) working in general practice are well placed to ensure their appropriate use. Aim: To pilot an evidence-based intervention (‘How to…’ tool) to review treatments in the management of acne and evaluate the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) of pharmacy professionals working in general practice before and after the use of this tool. Design and Setting: An electronic questionnaire was developed asking UK-based pharmacy professionals to rate their agreement with 21 predefined statements on a 5-point Likert scale related to the COM-B model. Method: Participants were sent an initial survey, given time to access and use the ‘How to…’ resources and then sent a follow-up survey two weeks later. Results: 141 pharmacy professionals completed the initial survey; 19 completed the follow-up survey. The initial survey found capability on the 5-point Likert scale in managing acne, including long-term antibiotic review was low (2.79, SD 1.23). Of those that completed both surveys, implementation of the acne ‘How to’ tool significantly improved capability, opportunity and motivation; capability improved the most: 3.68 (SD 0.40) to 4.11 (SD 0.29); p<0.001. The ‘How to’ resources were rated as being useful and supportive to help pharmacy professionals in all areas of managing acne. Conclusion: The acne ‘How to’ resources are demonstrated as being able to improve capability of managing acne and should be utilised in general practice to improve acne management

Perceived current and future roles of community pharmacy professionals in the long-term management of acne

Acne is a common skin condition but moderate to severe cases may need referral to general practice for treatment that may include topical or oral antimicrobial treatments. Long-term use of these agents is associated with antimicrobial resistance; pharmacy teams working in the community are well placed to manage acne in line with NICE guidance. The perceived current and future roles of community pharmacy teams were explored alongside needs to achieve potential future roles. Additionally, feedback on the TARGET acne 'How to' toolkit was sought. Methods: Community pharmacy professionals rated their agreement with predefined statements related to current and future roles of community pharmacy teams in the management of acne and the TARGET acne resources via an electronic survey. Results: 44 UK-based pharmacy professionals responded to the survey. The current confidence of pharmacy professionals in managing acne was rated as moderate and reviewing long-term medications for acne prescribed by another healthcare professional seen as a future role. The needs identified to undertake such a role were: training, availability of prescribing or supply frameworks, and appropriate remuneration. The TARGET acne resources were thought of as being very useful for acne management