[Analysis of 379 drug prescriptions at a call Center 15]

Abstract

Introduction: Prescription of medicines by telephone (PMT) in the call Center 15 is a reality, but has never been studied.

Objective: The objective was a Qualitative and quantitative study of the PMT.

Method: A monocentric and observational study of calls for a week of the center 15 of Besançon (France) was performed.

Material: Computer records and dial center 15 recordings of telephone conversations were analyzed. Variables analyzed were characteristics of callers, context of the requirement, analysis of compliance with the summary of product characteristics and mode of access to medicines.

Results: Among 1183 appeals studied, a PMT was performed in 379 cases (32%). New and isolated prescriptions are the most frequent. 68% of PMT correspond to optional prescriptions. The 539 drugs prescribed belong to 4 main groups: analgesics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti spasmodic, anti-diarrheal. In 9 out of 10 cases these drugs are from the family pharmacy.

Conclusion: The PMT at the center 15 is realized in one third of cases. This work helps highlight the shortcomings of the practice in terms of safety and security requirement of the proceedings against the recommendations of the French High Authority for Health.