Martine Kruijtbosch

103 Mo ra l r eason i ng pe r spec t i ves i n s i t ua t i on s o f d rug s ho r t ages TABLE 3: Self-reported likelihood of handling three drug shortage scenarios by Dutch community pharmacists (N = 267) Intended action option Scenario Very unlikely/ Unlikely (%) Likely/Very Likely (%) 1. I explain to the patient that I cannot dispense the medicine due to its shortage Contraceptive 26.2 73.8 Parkinson’s 24.3 75.7 Osteoporosis 15.4 84.6 2. I refer the patient to the prescriber for possible alternative (pharmaceutical) treatments Contraceptive 59.9 40.1 Parkinson’s 61.0 39.0 Osteoporosis 73.4 26.6 3. I propose a possible alternative pharmaceutical treatment to the prescriber Contraceptive 10.5 89.5 Parkinson’s 9.4 90.6 Osteoporosis 6.7 93.3 4. I discuss possible alternative (pharmaceutical) treatments with the patient Contraceptive 9.4 90.6 Parkinson’s 14.2 85.8 Osteoporosis 8.6 91.4 5. I import the medicine of which there is a shortage Contraceptive 39.0 61.0 Parkinson’s 25.1 74.9 Osteoporosis 79.8 20.2 6. I have made agreements in advance with the prescribers in my area related to alternatives for this drug shortage Contraceptive 19.9 80.1 Parkinson’s 44.6 55.4 Osteoporosis 29.6 70.4 7. I have made agreements in advance with pharmacists in my area related to alternatives for this drug shortage Contraceptive 50.2 49.8 Parkinson’s 61.0 39.0 Osteoporosis 59.2 40.8 8. I advise the patient to check whether another pharmacy has this medicine in stock Contraceptive 87.6 12.4 Parkinson’s 85.8 14.2 Osteoporosis 88.8 11.2 9. I check other pharmacies in my area on behalf of the patient to see if they still have this medicine in stock Contraceptive 31.1 68.9 Parkinson’s 17.2 82.8 Osteoporosis 32.6 67.4