Article Text
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to establish expert opinion and potential improvements for the Falsified Medicines Directive mandated medicines authentication technology.
Design and intervention A two-round Delphi method study using an online questionnaire.
Setting Large National Health Service (NHS) foundation trust teaching hospital.
Participants Secondary care pharmacists and accredited checking technicians.
Primary outcome measures Seven-point rating scale answers which reached a consensus of 70–80% with a standard deviation (SD) of <1.0. Likert scale questions which reached a consensus of 70–80%, a SD of <1.0 and classified as important according to study criteria.
Results Consensus expert opinion has described database cross-checking technology as quick and user friendly and suggested the inclusion of an audio signal to further support the detection of counterfeit medicines in secondary care (70% consensus, 0.9 SD); other important consensus with a SD of <1.0 included reviewing the colour and information in warning pop up screens to ensure they were not mistaken for the ‘already dispensed here’ pop up, encouraging the dispenser/checker to act on the warnings and making it mandatory to complete an ‘action taken’ documentation process to improve the quarantine of potentially counterfeit, expired or recalled medicines.
Conclusions This paper informs key opinion leaders and decision makers as to the positives and negatives of medicines authentication technology from an operator's perspective and suggests the adjustments which may be required to improve operator compliance and the detection of counterfeit medicines in the secondary care sector.
- PUBLIC HEALTH
- Counterfeit drugs
- Delphi technique
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Footnotes
Collaborators Bhulesh Vadher, Chief Pharmacist, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust.
Contributors BN and DB were responsible for study conception; BN, DB, LR, SD and SC were responsible for planning; BN was responsible for data collection and scripting; BN and LR were responsible for data analysis; BN, DB, LR, SD and SC were responsible for the reviewing of this manuscript.
Funding This study was funded by Keele University, Oxford University and Aegate limited via an unrestricted educational grant.
Disclaimer The content outlined herein represents the individual opinions of the authors and may not necessarily represent the viewpoints of their employers.
Competing interests DB is an employee and/or stockholder in Aegate (Melbourn, UK) that is a provider of medicines authentication services. DB is also a stockholder in Translation Ventures (Charlbury, Oxfordshire, UK) and IP asset ventures. DB is subject to the CFA Institute's Codes, Standards and Guidelines, and as such, this author must stress that this piece is provided for academic interest only and must not be construed in any way as an investment recommendation. BN is an advisory board member for IDIS, part of the Clinigen group. BN is currently not, but has previously been a consultant of Aegate Ltd. Additionally, at time of publication, DB and the organisations with which he is affiliated may or may not have agreed and/or pending funding commitments from the organisations named herein.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data sharing statement Original data is available on request. Please contact the corresponding author for further information.