The potential roles of pharmacy medication sales data to augment the syndromic surveillance system in response to COVID-19 and preparedness for other future infectious disease outbreaks in Indonesia

Use of Telehealth Information for Early Detection: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives. To examine whether the addition of telehealth data to existing surveillance infrastructure can improve forecasts of cases and mortality. Methods. In this observational study, we compared accuracy of 14-day forecasts using real-time data available to the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (standard forecasts) to forecasts that also included telehealth information (telehealth forecasts). The study was performed in a national telehealth service provider in 2020 serving 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Results. Among 10.5 million telemedicine encounters, 169 672 probable COVID-19 cases were diagnosed by 5050 clinicians, with a rate between 0.79 and 47.8 probable cases per 100 000 encounters per day (mean = 8.37; SD = 10.75). Publicly reported case counts ranged from 0.5 to 237 916 (mean: 53 913; SD = 47 466) and 0 to 2328 deaths (mean = 1035; SD = 550) per day. Telehealth-based forecasts improved 14-day case forecasting accuracy by 1.8 percentage points to 30.9% (P = .06) and mortality forecasting by 6.4 percentage points to 26.9% (P < .048). Conclusions. Modest improvements in forecasting can be gained from adding telehealth data to syndromic surveillance infrastructure. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(2):218-225. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307499).

[The experience of community pharmacy in SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection tests programs.]

SARS-CoV-2 infection was an unprecedented pandemic with unprecedented global health and socio-economic impact. More than 13 million cases had been confirmed in Spain by August 2022, and diagnostic testing to detect cases of infection in the country has helped to partially mitigate the spread of the virus. In 2021, the first self-testing antigen tests were marketed for dispensing in community pharmacies, and over-the-counter dispensing was allowed from July of that year. The network of community pharmacies played a key role, not only in the informed dispensing of these tests, but also in actively participating in the performance, supervision and reporting of results to the health authorities, and even in the issuing of digital certificates. A compilation has been made of all the available data on the subject, with a deadline of 13 February 2022, which is considered to be the end of the sixth wave of the epidemic in Spain. The results of the action taken by community pharmacies in twelve Autonomous Communities, which somehow participated in these initiatives by carrying out or supervising a total of 1,043,800 tests, from which 109,570 positive cases (10.5% of the total) were detected and reported to the National Health System, are presented in this article. Although the results are provisional, because many of the programmes are still ongoing, they are a clear demonstration of the potential that community pharmacies can play in Public Health work.

"We face the same risk as the other health workers": Perceptions and experiences of community pharmacists in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic

In many countries, community pharmacies have played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), disseminating information on disease prevention and management, and referring clients to health facilities. In recognition of this, there are increasing calls for an improved understanding of the challenges and experiences faced by these providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to providing them with better support and guidance now and during future emergencies. Between January and February 2021 we conducted 21 qualitative interviews to explore the experiences, safety concerns, and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians during the COVID-19 crisis in Indonesia, a country that has recorded more than four million cases since the start of the pandemic. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings indicate that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on pharmacy practices in Indonesia. Most participants implemented preventive measures and adapted their business models to the changing circumstances. The shift to remote sales and home delivery allowed many pharmacies to maintain, and even increase their profit margins due to greater demand for medicines and PPE. However, many participants were concerned about the increased risk of infection due to limited social distancing and prolonged interactions with clients, many of whom displayed COVID-19 symptoms. Importantly, there was a general perception that the government did not sufficiently recognize these risks. In conclusion, the government should consider developing additional operational guidelines and regulatory frameworks to improve the safety, operation, and involvement of community pharmacies in the current pandemic response efforts and any future public health emergencies.