If you are a pharmacist and looking for a guide on how to write a perfect pharmacy OET letter, this is the article for you.
While it’s common to find OET sample referral letters for doctors and nurses on the internet, not many cover pharmacy OET scenarios. In this sample pharmacy letter guide, we have tried to address that part and include pharmacy case notes, sample pharmacy letter and detailed commentary on case notes selection, organization of information, paragraphing, word choice and right grammar (tenses, voice, articles etc).
The pharmacy case notes are long and the scenario involves patient and patient’s next of kin. As an OET pharmacist candidate, you would require reading the case notes at least twice to fully understand the scenario and how to put a letter together.
More Writing Guides for
This letter is written to a general physician, who will see the patient for the first time. Therefore, you have to keep in mind that the content should include required medical and social information about the patient.
| OET Pharmacist Case Notes |
| You are a pharmacist at Riverside Health Center. |
Today, 18th July 2021, Ms. Sara Morgan, a 30-year-old customer visited the pharmacy asking for an OTC medicine for mild diarrhoea for her father, who is on a visit to her place. On further questioning, it is learnt that his present gastrointestinal symptoms are probably related to the medicines prescribed by his GP for his newly-diagnosed gout condition.
Personal Details
| Name: | Mr. Alex Morgan |
| Age: | 61 years |
| Address: | Williston Place, 402 Park Rd, Williston, VT 05495 |
| Marital Status: | Widower |
| Occupation: | Retired Accountant |
| Diagnosis: | Possible allergic reaction to newly-prescribed gout medicines |
Discussions in Pharmacy:
Recent Medical History
Moderately inflamed right big toe, painful
Consulted Community GP on 16th July 2021
Blood tests normal; Uric Acid 8mg/dL
Mr. Alex’s prescription was as follows.
Medical History:
Social History:
Drug Information: Common Side Effects
Advice Given:
Writing task:
Let’s examine these one by one to see how you should write each paragraph and what you need to include in them.
| Introduction |
| Approach to writing introduction is similar for most OET occupations. Information, such as name, age, marital status, gender, chief complaint and purpose, is needed. |
Tip: Keep in mind that not writing the purpose would affect your score negatively. Hence, it is important that the introduction of an OET letter for pharmarcists clearly mentions the purpose.
Read the ‘Notes’ & ‘Writing Task’ given at the start and end of the case notes to identify the purpose.
Tip: As this is a referral letter, you may start by writing: I am writing to refer
Tip: Also, introduce the patient. It is advisable to write the title (Mr.) and the last name (Morgan). Refer Personal Details: Mr. Morgan, a widower,
Tip: Mention the medical issue and the purpose of the letter sufficiently. Refer Notes and Writing Task: requires assessment and management of suspected allergic reactions to his newly-prescribed gout medicines.
Note: As this is a special circumstance where the patient’s next of kin is involved, it’s would be useful to write about Sara as well.
A sample Pharmacy OET letter should contain suitable paragraphing structure and information across paragraphs should have a logical flow. Let’s start with the first body paragraph.
You will have to compile relevant information from different parts in the case notes. This paragraph should be briefed properly and sequenced logically.
Tip: Mention how the case was introduced to the writer/pharmacist
Today, Ms. Morgan, visited the pharmacy for an OTC medicine for her father’s mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
Tip: Mention relevant reason(s) for the referral to the GP. Refer Discussions in Pharmacy. (Note: ‘Details of his living situation’ are irrelevant. These have been added for illustration purpose)
According to her, Mr. Morgan, who lives alone in Vermont, is on a one-month visit to her place.
Tip: Mention the medical issue(s). Refer Discussions in Pharmacy. It’s important to mention the symptoms to give a clearer picture to the recipient of this OET Pharmacy sample letter.
On arrival yesterday, he complained of nausea, abdominal pain, mild diarrhea and headache. Please note, his symptoms started on the night of 16/07/2021, and she denied any recent diet changes.
Now, let’s combine all the sentences to make a cohesive paragraph with relevant information.
| Body Paragraph 2 – Possible Cause |
| This information in your OET pharmacy letter is vital as it is directly related to the referral. Refer Recent Medical History. Please remember this information is based on the discussion with the patient’s daught). |
Tip: As the case involves possible drug reaction, providing details about the medicines and their dosage should help the reader of the pharmacy referral letter.
Let’s have a look at relevant case notes:
| Body Paragraph 3 – Preliminary Diagnosis |
| This information is important and is written following the prescription to maintain the cohesiveness. Refer Drug Information: Common Side Effects. |
Tip: Focus more on symptoms that are demonstrated by the patient.
Tip: Even though the GP may already know the possible side effects of the drugs prescribed by Mr. Morgan’s doctor, as a pharmacist it’s recommended you mention them for clarity.
| BODY PARAGRAPH 4 – Information about the patient |
| Provide relevant information about the patient as he is new to the reader. Refer Medical History & Social History. |
Note: Information, such as medication compliance and hobbies, is irrelevant so you may ignore that.
This paragraph should include clear information about the expected objective of OET referral letter writing tips. Refer Advice Given.
Avoid Consult his daughter’s GP’ as the letter is addressed to him.
Tip: A complete understanding of a pharmacy OET letter writing scenario is also showcased by not including any pharmacy case notes which are either unimportant or do not pertain to the recipient of the OET pharmacy letter.
Add an introductory word/phrase to make the conclusion cohesive. Have a look at the case notes below
| Closing Sentence |
| Here is an interesting piece of information – A closing sentence is not considered when words are counted. |
Tip: It is not appropriate to write typical closing sentences as the writer does not know the patient well. However, you can include a polite closing sentence at the end in a separate
| Complementary Close |
| Use appropriate salutations in the letter. |
Tip: Yours faithfully (If the name of the recipient is NOT given.)
Tip: Yours sincerely (If the name of the recipient is given.)
Tip: Write the name of the profession/designation indicated in the case notes. Give the name of the hospital or organization if given.
| Quiz |
| Pharmacy Letter |
| Dr. Antony Brittas General Physician Riverside Health Center 617 Riverside Avenue Burlington Vermont18/07/2021 |
Dear Dr. Brittas
RE: Mr. Alex Morgan, aged 61
I am writing to refer Mr. Morgan, a widower who requires assessment and management of suspected allergic reactions to his newly-prescribed gout medicines. Mr. Morgan is the father of your regular patient, Ms Sara Morgan.
Today, Ms. Morgan, visited the pharmacy for an OTC medicine for her father’s mild gastrointestinal symptoms. According to her, Mr. Morgan, who lives alone in Vermont, is on a one-month visit to her place. On arrival yesterday, he complained of nausea, abdominal pain, mild diarrhea and headache. Please note, his symptoms started on the night of 16/07/2021, and she denied any recent diet changes.
On further discussion, Mr. Morgan consulted his GP on 16/07/2021 for a moderately inflamed, painful right big toe. His blood tests revealed uric acid of 8mg/dL. Subsequently, he was prescribed Lengout (colchicine), 500mcg 1 tablet four hourly until relief and Indocid (indomethacin), 25mg 2 tablets twice daily.
Please note that colchicine and indomethacin are known to cause GI symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or pain and diarrhea. Additionally, indomethacin can elicit symptoms like headache.
Mr. Morgan has had hypertension for 5 years and takes candesartan, 4mg 1 in the morning. He does not smoke but drinks 10 units of alcohol on weekends.
In view of the above, Mr. Morgan requires assessment and appropriate management. Please also update me on the outcome as the Director of Pharmacy Board in Vermont needs to be updated on the drug interactions if needed. Please note, Mr. Morgan’s GP has also been informed.
Thank you for agreeing to intervene in this matter.
Hope you’ve found the above OET letter for pharmacists useful. Feel free to use Benchmark OET writing correction service for expert feedback and advice.
