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Alenezi S, Alanazi M, Aljazaeri R, Almuzaini M, Alrasheidi S, Shamlan WB, Aljohani R, Alhawiti G, Alqarni M, Aljabri E, Qmmash M, Kanan M. Community Pharmacies in the Asian Countries of Developing Health System: Formation, Regulation, and Implication. PHARMACY 2023; 11:127. [PMID: 37624082 PMCID: PMC10460015 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11040127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Community pharmacies (CPs) in Asian countries are often the first point of contact for patients withinthe healthcare system and their preferred place to purchase medicines. The number of CPs may vary across Asian countries, and each country has developed its own design and functioning. The regulatory environment plays a crucial role in shaping and governing CPs. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review in order to enhance understanding of the establishment and regulation of CPs. By undertaking this review, the researchers, policymakers, and practitioners sought to gain a deeper insight into the performance and functions of CPs and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. Moreover, this review shed light on implementation strategies, effects on patient outcomes, and the barriers and challenges associated with their establishment. A narrative literature review method was adopted with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Significant disparities can be observed when comparing the stated intentions of regulations with their actual implementation. Recently, there has been an inclusion of public health practices. Unfortunately, pharmacy procedures conducted in such environments have been characterized by inadequate understanding and inappropriate care. This poor performance can be attributed to employees' focus on maximizing profits. Several shortcomings can arise, including incomplete patient history documentation, failure to refer patients who require medical attention, unauthorized dispensing of prescription-only medicines (POM), dispensing clinically inappropriate or excessive medication doses, selling incomplete antibiotic courses, and inadequate information and counseling services. Regulatory interventions can help strengthen these services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Alenezi
- Al-Dawaa Pharmacy, Raiydh 12211, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (M.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Mona Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nahdi Medical Co., Riyadh 13515, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (R.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Reaam Aljazaeri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nahdi Medical Co., Riyadh 13515, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (R.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Marwah Almuzaini
- Al-Dawaa Pharmacy, Raiydh 12211, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (M.A.); (S.A.)
| | | | - Wafa Bin Shamlan
- Community Pharmacist, United Pharmaceutical Company, Jeddah 22230, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Raghad Aljohani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nahdi Medical Co., Riyadh 13515, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (R.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Ghadeer Alhawiti
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Alkadi Medical Group, Tabuk 47311, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Meaad Alqarni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nahdi Medical Co., Riyadh 13515, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (R.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Ehdaa Aljabri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nahdi Medical Co., Riyadh 13515, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (R.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Majd Qmmash
- College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed Kanan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12211, Saudi Arabia
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