The Scottish Government (Pharmacy and Medicines Division) asked us to gather patients' views on community pharmacy services.

Twelve of our engagement offices gathered feedback from a total of 159 people who had a long term condition and used regular medication. Given that community pharmacies can sometimes be seen by the public as a retail business – rather than an integral part of the NHS – we also wanted to explore whether perceptions of community pharmacies could be changed.

Participants provided information about their general experiences, how they currently use pharmacies, the relationships between patients and pharmacists, who they consulted when they needed help with medicines, and whether the pharmacist was seen as an integral part of the NHS.