[Improved information on drugs to patients. A project with a pharmacist in the therapeutic team at a cardiology department].

Patients with cardiac disease knew more about medicaments after receiving medicament-related counselling by a pharmacist on discharge from hospital. This was demonstrated by a questionnaire answered by 49 patients whose answers were compared with the results of a study conducted in 1991, when patients did not receive information from a pharmacist in hospital. More patients were pleased with the information, and most of them were satisfied with the consultation with the pharmacist. Lack of time was stated to be the main reason why other hospital health care professionals often provided insufficient information on medicaments to patients. It was discovered that physicians did not record a proper history of the medication. This affected management of the therapy and the information given to patients. This investigation shows that a pharmacist can make an important contribution to the care of patients. Health care professionals should begin to discuss with the health authorities how best to organize the information patients receive on medicaments.