Do community pharmacy workers know how to use adrenaline autoinjectors?

Abstract

Adrenaline is the first line and most effective treatment of anaphylaxis and should be administered as soon as possible. Professionals in community pharmacies (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) dispense adrenaline autoinjectors to allergic patients and could have a crucial role in reinforcing training regarding the use of theses devices. A survey to pharmacy workers was conducted in pharmacies located in the north of Portugal. The same professionals were invited to simulate adrenaline administration with training devices of the two autoinjectors available in Portugal. The majority of the pharmacy workers reported not having training regarding adrenaline autoinjectors and more than a third were unable to correctly demonstrate adrenaline administration with the trainer devices. Pharmacy workers in community pharmacies could have an essential role in reinforcing patient education. Consequently, it is important to encourage and ensure their training in order for them to provide clearer and more detailed instructions to patients. Keywords: adrenaline autoinjector; anaphylaxis; community pharmacies; allergy; knowledge