Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the change of pharmacy services and its influential factors including the long-term care insurance system and investigated strategies for maximizing the current role of the pharmacy in the community from 1999 to 2004. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to all pharmacies in the suburban area. Factor analysis was used to compare the change in pharmacy services and structure of pharmacy function before and after the introduction of the long-term care system.
Three factors were extracted from the survey of pharmacy function after the introduction of the long-term care system: “Filling of prescriptions, ” “Health and welfare-related services, ” and “Supply of goods.” Factor analysis indicated that home visits, participation in activities designed to promote health and proper drug use in the community, and coordinated interaction with home-care professionals are closely related to implementation of an improved system of home-care and welfare-services counseling.
The introduction of long-term care insurance did not have an intrinsic effect on the basic functions of the pharmacy, but it assigned a more central role to health and welfare services as a core pharmacy function. Positive commitment to communication with other professionals and activities to promote health is an effective way for pharmacists to improve health and welfare services in the local community.
