Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease case finding by community pharmacists: A potential cost-effective public health intervention

David Wright, Michael Twigg, Tracey Thornley

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    25 Citations (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    Objectives: To pilot a community pharmacy COPD case finding service in England, estimating costs and effects.

    Method: Patients potentially at risk of COPD were screened with validated tools. Smoking cessation was offered to all smokers identified as potentially having undiagnosed COPD. Cost and effects of the service were estimated.

    Key findings: 21 community pharmacies screened 238 patients over 9 months. 135 patients were identified with potentially undiagnosed COPD; 88 were smokers. Smoking cessation initiation provided a project gain of 38.62 life years, 19.92 QALYs and a cost saving of £392.67.

    Conclusion: COPD case finding by community pharmacists potentially provides cost-savings and improves quality of life.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)83-85
    Number of pages3
    JournalInternational Journal of Pharmacy Practice
    Volume23
    Issue number1
    Early online date5 Nov 2014
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2015

    Keywords

    • community pharmacy
    • COPD
    • cost-effectiveness
    • health promotion
    • pharmaceutical public health

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