處方藥英國販賣機買得到－快樂小藥師 Im pharmacist nichts glücklich

〔編譯管淑平／綜合報導〕對於那些必須定時服用處方藥的病患來說，外出旅遊時要找到可以買到處方藥的地方，還真是個頭痛問題。現在，英國推出處方藥販賣機（取自英國每日郵報網站），可以二十四小時販售處方藥，為不少患者解決這方面的問題，但這種販賣機也引發質疑，包括可能搶走藥劑師的飯碗，以及患者將因此無法取得適當用藥建議等。

英國每日郵報二十二日報導，這種名為「醫藥中心」（MedCentre）的處方藥販賣機，是在英國政府和衛生部支持下試辦，有大小兩種不同機型，較小機型販售三百種處方藥，較大機型則提供多達兩千種處方藥，每份藥品都裝有微晶片方便電腦判讀給藥。

使用者將處方箋插入機器後，用機器附設的電話與一名合格藥劑師進行視訊通話，藥劑師看了處方箋後確認購買的藥品無誤，機器才會給藥，並列印一張用藥須知給使用者，使用者可以信用卡或現金付帳。

為防止販賣機遭竊，每部販賣機都採用水泥基座和鋼製機身，造價約五萬英鎊（台幣兩百三十五萬元）。這種販賣機由加拿大PharmaTrust公司開發，此前已經在加國試辦，藉此大幅降低處方藥成本。英國試辦初期將在五家醫院設置這種販賣機，希望逐漸推廣到街頭、購物中心和鄉村地區。桑德蘭醫院首席藥劑師米勒認為，英國醫院體系缺乏足夠藥劑師，這類科技可讓一名藥劑師能夠服務多家醫院病患。

基層藥師、社區藥局憂搶生意

不過，藥局和藥師對此則強烈反彈，指稱這種販賣機將導致裁員、縮減營業。全國藥劑師協會發言人說，「它絕對不可能是社區藥局的適當替代品」，社區藥局強項就是「能與病人建立起一種信賴關係。」

原報導在這邊：

Medicine vending machines that dispense prescriptions 24 hours a day go on trial

For those who desperately need their prescription medicine, the notion of travelling miles to find a chemist open is only likely to add to their anxiety.
But a dispenser is to go on trial in the UK which will offer medicines at any time of the day or night.
Initially the machines will be put into five hospitals.

However, the company behind them hopes they can also be installed in high streets, shopping malls and rural locations.
Their arrival in Britain has been supported by the UK Government and Department of Health.
But there are concerns they could put chemists out of business and that patients could be left unable to get advice from a local pharmacist.
The dispensers come in two models, a smaller one holding 330 packs and a larger one with 2,000.
Users insert their prescription into the machine and pick up a telephone to access a live video link to a registered pharmacist.
The pharmacist will check the prescription and ensure those who have to pay have done so before allowing the machine to dispense the drugs.
The dispenser, which costs around £50,000, has been developed by the Canadian firm PharmaTrust.
Its sophisticated technology means it can dispense drugs whether or not they need to be counted, packed or refrigerated.
It is bolted to a concrete plinth and surrounded by plate steel to protect it against thieves.
The MedCentre machines are already on trial in Canada, where the government is taking drastic steps to cut down the cost of prescribing medicines.

The policy, which may be copied here by the coalition Government, has triggered an angry reaction from pharmacy groups and community chemist shops.
Opponents have warned they may have to close outlets, lay off staff and cut hours.
The trial using the machines in UK hospitals will be assessed by a British university.
This will measure patient and pharmacist satisfaction with the technology as well as any evidence of the wrong drugs being issued.
PharmaTrust would not say which hospitals were taking part in the trial. Peter Ellis of the company said: ‘We believe the MedCentre is simple to use and has benefits for patients across the UK.
‘The purpose of these trials is to assess patients’ use of the technology.’
The chief executive of the Government’s UK Trade & Investment body, Sir Andrew Cahn, said: ‘Every year Britons pick up nearly one billion prescriptions.
‘This illustrates the huge potential of these machines.’
David Miller, the chief pharmacist at Sunderland Hospital, is looking at the equipment. He said: ‘The problem we have in UK hospitals is that we don’t have enough pharmacists.
‘Technology of this sort might allow us to use existing resources better. One pharmacist might be able to serve patients visiting a number of hospitals.’
However, a spokesman for the National Pharmacy Association said: ‘It could never be an adequate substitute for your local community pharmacy, where a range of services are available beyond dispensing, such as health checks, medicine reviews and lifestyle interventions.
‘Most people in the UK live within 500metres of a pharmacy and can generally access a pharmacist without an appointment.
‘Community pharmacies are part of the social and economic fabric of neighbourhoods.
‘One of the strengths of the established network of pharmacies is the relationship of trust that can develop between staff and patients.’

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