Developing school–pharmacist partnerships to enhance correct medication use and pain medication literacy in Taiwan

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the health promoting school (HPS)–community pharmacist partnership program that promotes students’ correct medication use and enhances pain medication literacy in Taiwan. Design Pre- and post-studies and intervention/comparison group comparisons. Setting Primary and middle schools, along with their communities, in Taiwan. Participants In 2013, baseline and follow-up self-administered, online surveys were received from 5,373 students enrolled in intervention primary and middle schools and from 4,643 students enrolled in comparison primary and middle schools. Main outcome measure The level of medication literacy, including correct medication use knowledge, self-efficacy, and skills. Results The development and implementation of the HPS–community pharmacist partnership program in primary and middle schools significantly enhanced students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and skills in correct medication use and pain medication literacy ( P Conclusion The HPS–community pharmacist partnership had a positive impact on enhancing correct medication use and pain medication literacy in Taiwan.