Research project duration: 08 October 2021 – 28 February 2023

Research project team (linked to ORCID): Prof. Dr. Bernhard Langer, Josephine Bolduan (M.A.), Lea Sackmann (M.Sc.), Laura Schreiter (B.Sc.), Katja Schüler (B.Sc.), Marie Ulrich (M.Sc.)

External researcher (linked to ORCID): Christian Kunow (M.A.)

Research project abstract:

Background and objectives
In Germany, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may only be dispensed by community pharmacies (CPs). German CPs must ensure "adequate" counseling, including the cost of medicines. Along with information gathering and advice giving as classic aspects of counseling, the objective was also to investigate indicators of product and price transparency. To date, there has been no comparable study either nationally or internationally.

Study design
The simulated patient methodology represents covert participatory observation by a person who visits community pharmacies to simulate a real-life counseling situation based on a previously defined scenario. The data is then collected based on previously defined criteria using an evaluation form. The methodology is internationally regarded as the "gold standard" for achieving the study objectives.

Scenario
The simulated patients simulate a symptom-based scenario with a request for an OTC medicine for a headache.

Study participants
A representative random sample of all community pharmacies stratified by districts in the major German city of Munich.

Planned Publications:
Langer, B.; Kunow, C.; Bolduan, J.; Sackmann, L.; Schreiter, L.; Schüler, K.; Ulrich, M. Counseling with a Focus on Product and Price Transparency for OTC Headache Medicines: A Simulated Patient Study in Community Pharmacies in Munich, Germany (under review)

Langer, B.; Kunow, C.; Bolduan, J.; Sackmann, L.; Schreiter, L.; Schüler, K.; Ulrich, M. Variabilities in Pricing of Headache OTC Medicines by Community Pharmacies – an Update of a Simulated Patient Investigation in a German Big City (in progress)