A qualitative approach was used; the interviews were conducted using structured interviews. The research was designed in two parts: in part one key informant individual interviews with four pharmacists working in advisory positions guided the expected interactions PLX4032 supplier of the community

pharmacist with people affected by dementia. In part two, five community pharmacies were shadowed. Additionally, eight individual interviews were conducted with community pharmacists. To establish the relationship between the community pharmacist and other health team professionals, four individual interviews were conducted with a GP, a GP receptionist, a practice pharmacist and a community nurse. Nine participants with dementia and their carers were interviewed as matched pairs and three as carers alone. The University ethics committee granted ethical approval for the study. The NHS Research Ethics Committee Scotland advised the study did not require ethical approval from them. Pharmacists made more comments about community health team integration (n = 26) than about hospital integration (n = 20). Integration with community teams was inconsistent, while with hospitals it was more consistent.

Pharmacists were asked about the changing roles in pharmacy. Most of the comments were about new services like the Minor Ailments Service (MAS), (n = 18), Chronic Medication Service (CMS) (n = 10) and then about the role of the Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) (n = 9). When asked what they could Ponatinib concentration do for people affected by dementia; the greatest number of comments (n = 21) were around medicines management, the second most prevalent subject involved referring patients to the doctor (n = 13) when dementia

was suspected. When asked what they needed to provide a better service to people affected by dementia; all of the pharmacists (n = 8) agreed more education for everyone in the pharmacy, and many felt financial incentives were important. People affected by dementia were asked how often they visited the pharmacy, all (n = 12) attended at least every two months. Almost all of the people affected Sclareol by dementia (n = 11) were using the MAS. Community pharmacists are not routinely included in patient information sharing. Pharmacy has been developing with new services like the pharmacist led the MAS. Situated in a highly accessible position in the community, pharmacists may be the only health professional people affected by dementia regularly visit, concerns were expressed regarding the follow on management of people they informally referred to GPs. Pharmacists often use medication monitored dosage systems to aid with improve concordance in people with dementia. These management systems are labour intensive; financial incentives to support extending this service may be required. People affected by dementia regularly visit their pharmacy for over the counter (OTC) medicine, health and medicine advice and they also use the MAS.