Sammanfattning
Background: Many patients with migraine experience suboptimal medical therapy and have
questions and concerns about their medications. The aim of this study was to get further knowledge
of migraine patients’ earlier experiences, needs and desires for information and guidance in the
community pharmacy.
Material and methods: A total of 200 migraine patients aged 18 or above, who received prescription
medication from one of 16 specific Norwegian community pharmacies during the period from August
to September 2013, were asked to complete a paper-form questionnaire.
Results: Of the 121 patients returning the questionnaire, 36% had received information about their
migraine medication at the community pharmacy at some point. 85 % of all the respondents
expressed a high level of trust in the professional knowledge of the community pharmacists, and
75% requested more information at the pharmacies. Drug interactions, medication overuse headache
(MOH) and differences between migraine medications were the most popular information demands.
60% wanted a consultation with a pharmacist.
Conclusion: The results suggest that patients with migraine need and request more guidance and
information about their migraine medications from the community pharmacies. Less than half of the
respondents had received information at the pharmacy concerning their migraine medications, which
emphasize the need for information.