Evaluation of the current status of the value-added pharmacy services and pharmacists’ attitude in Bulgaria

Attitudes, awareness, and perceptions of general public and pharmacists toward the extended community pharmacy services and drive-thru pharmacy services: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Several extended and newly added pharmacy services were evaluated in different countries. This review aims to provide a summary of studies on attitudes, awareness, or perceptions toward various extended and drive-thru pharmacy services at community settings among pharmacists and the general public.

METHODS

To find qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies, that reported on the attitudes, awareness, or perceptions of the general public and pharmacists toward the practice of any extended community pharmacy service and drive-thru pharmacy services in a community setting and conducted from March 2012 to March 2022. Researchers used databases such as Embase, Medline PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The reviewers extracted data independently using the PRISMA checklist.

RESULTS

There were 55 studies found according to the inclusion criteria. Various extended pharmacy services (EPS) and drive-thru pharmacy services were noted in the community setting. Pharmaceutical care services and healthcare promotion services were the noticeable performed extended services. There were positive perceptions and attitudes toward extended and drive-thru pharmacy services among pharmacists and the public. However, some factors, such as lack of time and shortage of staff, affect the practice of those services.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the major concerns toward the provision of extended and drive-thru community pharmacy services and improving pharmacists' skills through more training programs to provide such services efficiently. In the future, more reviews for EPS practice barriers are recommended to faceup all concerns and find standardized guidelines by stakeholders and organizations for efficient EPS practices.

Beyond medicines provision: community pharmacists roles in meeting patient needs through value-added pharmacy services

Objectives

Pharmacy practice now requires more patient-centred and outcome-oriented approach, hence the need for a more value-based model. In developing countries like Nigeria, out-of-pocket spending for health care is high and patients usually visit the community pharmacy first to attend to their health needs. Since patients need to get value for their money, assessing their perception on services provided and their need for value-added pharmacy services is imperative. Thus, this study aims at assessing the perception of patients on services provided by community pharmacies in Nigeria and to ascertain their needs for value-added pharmacy services.

Methods

A 15-item questionnaire was administered to randomly sampled respondents who routinely visit their community pharmacy. The questionnaire addressed demographics, satisfaction with community pharmacy practice, accessibility of healthcare professionals and need for value-added pharmacy services. The respondents gave oral informed consent prior to administration of the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were applied in data analysis.

Key Findings

A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed, and 300 were duly filled and returned. The survey lasted for 3 months, and the questionnaires were self-completed. All respondents agreed that pharmacy practice is important in healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Seventy-one per cent stated that the community pharmacy was their first port of call for treating minor ailments and seeking advice on medicines and health. Furthermore, 61% indicated that they trust pharmacists more than other health professionals in the area of medicines provision and advice. All respondents agreed that they require provision of more services other than medication dispensing and advice from their pharmacists.

Conclusions

Results suggest that patients have a positive perception towards community pharmacists as the most accessible and trusted health professionals for minor ailments and medicines provision. However, in addition to medicines provision, these patients require more services from pharmacists that add value in meeting their various health and medicines needs.