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Nassar E, Kassouf S, Hajj A, Sacre H, Akel M, Zeenny RM, Haddad C, Salameh P. A pilot assessment of the career and job satisfaction of the pharmaceutical workforce in Lebanon. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:93. [PMID: 36443866 PMCID: PMC9703420 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00498-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lebanon has been recognized as a center for high-quality healthcare services in the Middle East because of its prestigious facilities certified by international bodies, competent health workers, and credible pharmaceutical sector. This study assessed the professional situation of the Lebanese pharmaceutical workforce upon graduation and entry to the job market. It also evaluated the satisfaction of pharmacists with the financial, physical, and psychological aspects of their job and the effect of the current socioeconomic crisis on their profession. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed between January and May 2021 among 114 Lebanese pharmacists from all pharmaceutical sectors across Lebanon. A self-administered questionnaire was elaborated to assess the pharmaceutical workforce in Lebanon. The online questionnaire was built using Google Forms and disseminated via emails and social platforms. RESULTS Fresh graduates seemed more oriented toward community pharmacies, and 78.1% of the participants worked at least once in their lifetime in a community pharmacy. Pharmacists from the public university worked predominantly in the community pharmacy sector, while those who graduated from private universities worked mainly as medical representatives. Hospital pharmacy comprised significantly more PharmD graduates than other sectors; medical representatives had mainly a BS pharmacy, while those working as industrial pharmacists had a Master's degree. A low percentage (31.6%) of participants found it easy to get hold of a job across different pharmaceutical sectors while 64.0% considered the internships experience insufficient to get employed. Nearly half (48.2%) of the respondents were poorly satisfied with their job, and 54.0% of community pharmacists reported not working in their preferred field compared to 39.1% of pharmacists from other sectors. Also, 65.79% felt that the economic crisis and the consequent medication shortages affected their credibility and how society perceived them. About half (45.61%) of the participants reported that their employment status was not affected by the crisis; the rest got a second job to cover their expenses (15.79%) or changed jobs (14.91%). CONCLUSION Our study findings revealed that most Lebanese fresh graduates worked as community pharmacists, which does not correspond to their preference, the available job market, and the modern pharmacy wingspan. Most pharmacists were also financially, physically, and emotionally dissatisfied due to the Lebanese economic crisis that added heavy workloads and responsibilities without any financial raise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Nassar
- grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Sibelle Kassouf
- grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hajj
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.42271.320000 0001 2149 479XLaboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicament, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada ,grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794Oncology Division, CHU de Québec- Université Laval Research Center, Québec city, Québec, Canada
| | - Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rony M. Zeenny
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411654.30000 0004 0581 3406Department of Pharmacy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.512933.f0000 0004 0451 7867Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, P.O. Box 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon ,grid.444428.a0000 0004 0508 3124School of Health Sciences, Modern University for Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- grid.411324.10000 0001 2324 3572Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon ,INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.413056.50000 0004 0383 4764Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Bahnassi A. Pharmacy education and practice in Syria: Past, present, and future. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anas Bahnassi
- Department of Pharmacy Programs Integration, Rexall Pharmacy Group, McKesson Canada Ontario Canada
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Sacre H, Obeid S, Choueiry G, Hobeika E, Farah R, Hajj A, Akel M, Hallit S, Salameh P. Factors associated with quality of life among community pharmacists in Lebanon: results of a cross-sectional study. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2019; 17:1613. [PMID: 31897257 PMCID: PMC6935543 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2019.4.1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and the factors associated with it among community pharmacists in Lebanon. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and July 2018, enrolling 435 pharmacists, using a proportionate random sample of community pharmacies from all districts of Lebanon. The validated Arabic translation of the Short-Form 12 (SF12v2) was used to derive 2 summary scores: physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS). Results: Lebanese community pharmacists scored a mean PCS-12 and MCS-12 of 48.9 (SD 7.1) and 48.8 (SD 8.5), respectively. Higher age (Beta= -0.08), having a PhD degree (Beta= -4.54), higher depression score (Beta= -0.25), higher emotional work fatigue (Beta= -0.13) and higher physical work fatigue (Beta=-0.14) were significantly associated with lower physical QoL (lower PCS-12 scores). Increased stress (Beta= -0.17), higher insomnia (Beta= -0.21), higher depression (Beta= -0.2) and working for over 40 hours per week (Beta= -0.2) were significantly associated with lower mental QoL (lower mental MCS-12 scores). Conclusions: Our research has found a strong correlation between quality of life and psychological factors, including stress, burnout, insomnia, and depression among community pharmacists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Sacre
- Drug Information Center. Lebanese Pharmacists Association; & National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB). Beirut (Lebanon).
| | - Sahar Obeid
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & Faculty of Philosophy, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Jounieh (Lebanon).
| | - Georges Choueiry
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University. Hadath (Lebanon).
| | - Eva Hobeika
- Faculty of Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Jounieh (Lebanon).
| | - Rita Farah
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University. Hadath (Lebanon).
| | - Aline Hajj
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Control of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University. Beirut (Lebanon).
| | - Marwan Akel
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University. Beirut (Lebanon).
| | - Souheil Hallit
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & Faculty of Medicine & Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Jounieh (Lebanon).
| | - Pascale Salameh
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB); & Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University. Hadath (Lebanon).
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Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Pharmacy Professionals regarding the Risk of Medication Use during Pregnancy in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Pregnancy 2019; 2019:2186841. [PMID: 31428474 PMCID: PMC6683770 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2186841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The developing organism is unique in its responsiveness to drugs and predictability of therapeutic effectiveness based on the adult which can lead to grave consequences in the neonate and child. Moreover, uncertainty about the risks of drug use in pregnancy could result in restrictive attitudes towards prescribing and dispensing medicines and their use. Pharmacists have huge duties to improve medication use, especially among pregnant women. The objective of this study is, hence, to assess the knowledge and practice of pharmacy professionals (PPs) towards the risk of medication use during pregnancy. Methodology A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was carried out over practicing community and hospital pharmacy professionals in Dessie town. They were asked about the safety of common drugs during pregnancy. It involves both prescription-only medications (POM) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Secondly, they were asked about their practice towards the risk of medication use during pregnancy. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were utilized. For descriptive analysis, results were expressed as numbers, percentages, and mean (± SD and 95% CI). Result Seventy-six pharmacy professionals in Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia, took part in the study. Most of the respondents (64.5%) believed that amoxicillin is safe in all trimesters. 26 (34.2%) of participants knew that isotretinoin is unsafe for use by pregnant women. About dietary supplements, 32.9% of PPs reported that Vitamin A supplements are safe in all trimesters. There was a significant difference observed for study college and years of experience of the PPs in their score of knowledge test (p=0.020 and p=0.024, respectively). Additionally, there was a difference seen for gender (p=0.030), study college (p=0.036), and working institution (p=0.013) in their advice to pregnant women. Conclusion and Recommendation Overall, PPs exhibited very low knowledge about drug safety during pregnancy. The absence of obligatory continuing pharmacy education for pharmacists is expected to have negatively affected the level of medication knowledge and consequently the pharmaceutical care services delivered in community and hospital pharmacies. As medication knowledge of PPs is poor, a multitude of strategies (educational, economic, managerial, and regulatory) should be designed by the government, universities, and pharmaceutical associations to improve the pharmacy professionals' role in the healthcare system by providing them with continuous and up-to-date medication knowledge.
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Alameddine M, Bou Karroum K, Hijazi MA. Upscaling the pharmacy profession in Lebanon: workforce distribution and key improvement opportunities. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2019; 17:47. [PMID: 31234863 PMCID: PMC6591915 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-019-0386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The critical role pharmacists play in the healthcare system necessitates close monitoring of their supply, distribution, and competencies. This is especially relevant considering the global increase in the demand for pharmacists. In Lebanon, the pharmacy profession is facing several challenges related to the unplanned supply of pharmacists. The aim of the study is to analyze the Order of Pharmacists registration database and generate workforce distribution over the last six decades. METHODS This study entailed a detailed database analysis of a deidentified subset of the Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon registration records for years 1954-2018. The analysis generated workforce distribution in terms of growth in number, distribution by gender, age distribution, geographic location, workforce status, sector of employment, and employment position. A descriptive analysis was carried out with cross-tabulations to identify distribution across selected variables. RESULTS The pharmacy profession in Lebanon witnessed significant growth over the period of analysis. The "Community" was the most common employment sector (63%), followed by "Pharmaceutical Sector" (24%) and "Hospitals" (5%). The high ratio of pharmacists to 10 000 population (20.3) was contrasted by a low ratio of hospital pharmacist per hospital and per 100 hospital beds (1.9 and 1.7, respectively). The high pharmacist to population ratio is indicative of an oversupply of pharmacists precipitated by poor workforce planning. While oversupply did not result in high unemployment, it may have negatively affected the income of pharmacists and their adherence to the professional and ethical requirements of their job. Despite the large number of pharmacists in Lebanon, findings elicit concerns over the adequacy and safety of pharmacists' services in hospitals with a low ratio of hospital pharmacists to 100 hospital beds. CONCLUSION This study unearthed several opportunities and concerns related to planning the supply, distribution, regulation, and the professional scope of practice of pharmacists in Lebanon. A concerted multi-stakeholder effort to address some of the identified challenges will not only improve the professional status of pharmacists but will also enhance the safety and efficiency of pharmaceutical care in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Alameddine
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020 Lebanon
| | - Karen Bou Karroum
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020 Lebanon
| | - Mohamad Ali Hijazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box: 11 5020, Beirut, Lebanon
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Sacre H, Hallit S, Hajj A, Zeenny RM, Sili G, Salameh P. The Pharmacy Profession in a Developing Country: Challenges and Suggested Governance Solutions in Lebanon. J Res Pharm Pract 2019; 8:39-44. [PMID: 31367637 PMCID: PMC6636419 DOI: 10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_19_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the years, changes occurred in pharmacists' roles on international levels. These changes are not being followed in Lebanon where community pharmacy is still practiced in a traditional way. Laws need to be updated to align with international standards to drive a change at the practice level. The Lebanese Order of Pharmacists' (OPL) mission is to raise the level of the profession. It also enforces the laws, defends the rights of pharmacists, and improves the level of practice and development of scientific competence. It is also aiming at providing the conditions for enhancing the patient's access to the appropriate medications and its safe use. Meanwhile, the OPL is facing several challenges, most importantly, the deteriorating financial situation of community pharmacists and the decrease in the retirement fund input. To find proper answers to all these issues, the OPL started working, since 2016, on solutions from a proper governance perspective, jointly with all the stakeholders such as the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the universities, and other professional associations. The suggested solutions include the application of the principles of good governance, provision of paid services, developing pharmacists' core and advanced competencies, accreditation standards generation, and new laws and decrees suggestions concerning clinical pharmacy application in hospitals and community settings, continuing education consolidation and professional development, and research- and assessment-based decisions. The suggested solutions are expected to overcome challenges and barriers while leveraging the profession and advancing it to reach international standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Sacre
- Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon.,INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hajj
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Control of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pôle Technologie-Santé; Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rony M Zeenny
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, American University Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Sili
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Carvajal MJ. A theoretical framework for the interpretation of pharmacist workforce studies throughout the world: The labor supply curve. Res Social Adm Pharm 2017; 14:999-1006. [PMID: 29567087 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite geographic, financial, and cultural diversity, publications dealing with the pharmacist workforce throughout the world share common concerns and focus on similar topics. Their findings are presented in the literature in a seemingly unrelated way even though they are connected to one another as parts of a comprehensive theoretical structure. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model that relates some of the most salient topics addressed in the international literature on pharmacist workforce. The model is developed along two fundamental ideas. The first identifies the shape and location of the pharmacist's labor supply curve as the driving force behind all workforce decisions undertaken by pharmacists; the second argues that gender and age differences are two of the most important factors determining the shape and location of this supply curve. The paper then discusses movements along the curve attributed to changes in the wage rate, as well as displacements of the curve attributed to disparities in personal characteristics, investments in human capital, job-related preferences, opinions and perceptions, and institutional rigidities. The focus is on the individual pharmacist, not on groups of pharmacists or the profession as a whole. Works in multiple countries that address each topic are identified. Understanding these considerations is critical as employers' failure to accommodate pharmacists' preferences for work and leisure are associated with negative consequences not only for them but also for the healthcare system as a whole. Possible consequences include excessive job turnover, absenteeism, decreased institutional commitment, and lower quality of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel J Carvajal
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018, USA.
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Hallit S, Zeenny RM, Sili G, Salameh P. Situation analysis of community pharmacy owners in Lebanon. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2017; 15:853. [PMID: 28503219 PMCID: PMC5386620 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2017.01.853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the current community pharmacists’ interventions and job satisfaction, secondary to the alteration in the financial rewards. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, using a proportionate random sample of Lebanese community pharmacy owners from all districts of Lebanon. Results: Out of 1618 distributed questionnaires, 1465 (90.5%) were collected back from pharmacy owners. Our study results showed that the monthly sales and profit decreased significantly in the last decade as well as the number of loyal customers (p<0.001 for all). The rent, the total assistant pharmacists’ and employees’ salaries, income taxes, municipality fees, the total bills (electricity, water, cleaning, security) and the disposal of expired products per year significantly increased during the last 10 years (p<0.001). 95% of the owners said they cannot afford to hire any more pharmacists while 45% said they cannot afford buying software for their pharmacies. Finally, 89% of these owners admitted that their situation was better 10 years ago compared to nowadays. Conclusion: Most Lebanese community pharmacists are not financially satisfied; their financial situation deteriorated in the last decade. The ministry of Health along with the Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon should cooperate together to resolve this problem since they are two entities responsible for the patient’s health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souheil Hallit
- PharmD, MSc, MPH. School of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath; and School of Pharmacy Universite Saint Joseph. Beirut (Lebanon).
| | - Rony M Zeenny
- PharmD, MPH, BCPS. American University of Beirut Medical Center. Beirut (Lebanon).
| | - Georges Sili
- PharmD. School of Pharmacy, Lebanese University. Hadath (Lebanon).
| | - Pascale Salameh
- PharmD, MPH, PhD. Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University. Hadath (Lebanon).
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El-Jardali F, Fadlallah R, Morsi RZ, Hemadi N, Al-Gibbawi M, Haj M, Khalil S, Saklawi Y, Jamal D, Akl EA. Pharmacists' views and reported practices in relation to a new generic drug substitution policy in Lebanon: a mixed methods study. Implement Sci 2017; 12:23. [PMID: 28212657 PMCID: PMC5316154 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-017-0556-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Governments in both developed and developing countries have adopted generic drug substitution policies to decrease pharmaceutical expenditures and improve access to medicine. In August 2015, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon introduced generic drug substitution and a unified medical prescription form as policy instruments to promote generic drug use. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine the attitudes of community pharmacists and the reported practices in relation to the implementation of the new generic drug substitution policy. METHODS We used a cross-sectional mixed methods approach composed of self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study population consisted of community pharmacists in Lebanon. We randomly approached one pharmacy personnel from each selected community pharmacy. We conducted descriptive analyses to assess responses to questionnaire and regression analyses to understand associations between responses and respondent demographics. We analyzed qualitative data thematically. RESULTS Out of 204 invited community pharmacies, 153 pharmacies participated (75% response rate). The majority of respondents (64%) were in favor of generic drug substitution; however, less than half (40%) indicated they have substituted brand drugs for generic equivalents. Moreover, 57% indicated that the existing pricing system discourages them from performing generic drug substitution. Most respondents indicated that physicians are overusing the "non-substitutable" option (84%) and that there are technical problems with processing the new prescription form (78%). Less than half (47%) reported that the MOPH is performing regular audits on the forms collected by the pharmacy. While 45% of the respondents indicated that consumers have accepted most of the generic substitutions, 21% perceived the increase in generic drug dispensing to be significant. Findings suggested a potentially significant association between being informed about generic drugs and respondents' support of the policy. Suggested strategies to address implementation challenges included strengthening stewardship function of MOPH, securing full commitment of health care providers, conducting educational and awareness campaigns about generic drugs and generic drug substitution, and aligning incentive systems of the key stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS The majority of community pharmacists were supportive of generic drug substitution in general but not of the current implementation of the policy in Lebanon. Findings revealed implementation challenges at the provider, patient, and system level which are hindering attainment of the policy objectives. The key lessons derived from this study can be used for continuous improvement of the policy and its implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi El-Jardali
- Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Racha Fadlallah
- Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rami Z. Morsi
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nour Hemadi
- Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Magda Haj
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Suzan Khalil
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Saklawi
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Diana Jamal
- Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elie A. Akl
- Center for Systematic Reviews of Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Tlaiss HA. Job satisfaction of women managers in Lebanon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/1470595813484309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the association between selected organizational factors and job satisfaction dimensions. The study sample consisted of 346 women managers working in the services industry in Lebanon. This study findings indicate that managerial rank, monthly salary, and the size of the organization have a statistically significant effect on the job satisfaction of Lebanese women managers. Overall, the data revealed that women managers in the services industry were satisfied with their careers, despite their dissatisfaction with pay, fringe benefits, and promotions. The findings present implications for business management processes, human resource practices, and government-led initiatives in Lebanon and in the Arab Middle East.
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Liu CS, White L. Key determinants of hospital pharmacy staff's job satisfaction. Res Social Adm Pharm 2011; 7:51-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2008] [Revised: 02/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Kheir N, Zaidan M, Younes H, El Hajj M, Wilbur K, Jewesson PJ. Pharmacy education and practice in 13 Middle Eastern countries. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION 2008; 72:133. [PMID: 19325953 PMCID: PMC2661169 DOI: 10.5688/aj7206133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The Arab world has influenced the art and science of pharmacy for centuries. Pharmacy education and practice is continuing to evolve in the Arabic-speaking traditional Middle East countries, although relatively little information has been published in the English press. Our goal was to provide a high-level synopsis of conditions in this region. We selected 13 countries for review. Information was obtained by reviewing the available published literature and individual university and program web sites, as well as contacting program or country representatives. Seventy-eight active pharmacy schools in 12 countries were identified. At least 14,000 students (over 75% from Egypt) are admitted into baccalaureate degree programs every year. The 5-year baccalaureate degree remains the first professional degree to practice. While changes in pharmacy education have been relatively rapid over the past decade, the advancement of pharmacy practice, particularly in the private sector, appears to be slower. Hospital pharmacists often possess an advanced degree and tend to have a higher level of practice compared to that of community pharmacists. Despite the adversities that face academics and practitioners alike, there is a strong desire to advance the science and practice of pharmacy in the Middle East.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manal Zaidan
- Pharmacy Department, Al Amal Cancer Centre, Doha, Qatar
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