An Australian Pharmacy Audit of the Management of Heartburn and the Role of Over-the-counter Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (PPPIs) are the most effective therapy for the relief of heartburn. An audit was conducted to evaluate the over the counter (OTC) management of heartburn by pharmacists. Results indicate that there is potential to improve the management of heartburn by pharmacist intervention and recommendation of non-prescription PPIs thus showing that pharmacists can appropriately assess and manage people presenting with frequent heartburn. Results also suggest that benefit may be gained from increased consumer awareness of the availability of OTC PPIs and of the pharmacist as a source of advice.