Medicine use and safety while breastfeeding: investigating the perspectives of community pharmacists in Australia
Martine de Ponti A B , Kay Stewart A , Lisa H. Amir C and Safeera Y. Hussainy A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
B Utrecht University; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
C Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: safeera.hussainy@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(1) 46-57 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13012
Submitted: 25 January 2013 Accepted: 23 June 2013 Published: 1 August 2013
Abstract
Consumers and health professionals rely on community pharmacists for accurate information about the safety of medicines. Many breastfeeding women require medications, yet we know little about the advice provided to them by pharmacists in Australia. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the perspectives of community pharmacists in Australia on medication use and safety in breastfeeding using a postal survey of a national random sample of 1166 community pharmacies in 2011. One hundred and seventy-six pharmacists responded (51% female). Of the 52% of participants with children, many (70%) had a total breastfeeding duration (self or partner) of 27 weeks or more. The majority (92%) were confident about supplying or counselling on medication during breastfeeding. The most commonly used resources were drug company information, Australian Medicines Handbook and the Royal Women’s Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Medicine Guide. Most (80%) believed the available information to be adequate and 86% thought it accessible. Over one-third were unaware that ibuprofen and metronidazole are compatible with breastfeeding. Most (80%) were able to name at least one medicine that may decrease milk supply. We found that community pharmacists discuss medicine use in lactation and are confident of their ability to do so; however, their knowledge may be variable.
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