Knowledge, Attitude, and the Practice of Community Pharmacists to Dispense Opioid-Related and Opioid-Containing Medication in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Objectives

This study was done to evaluate the knowledge of community pharmacists-working in Saudi Arabia-regarding over-the-counter opioid-related and opioid-containing medications.

Materials and Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed through social media and taken to the community pharmacists in person. A total of 101 responders were reached in a period of around 3 weeks.

Results

Most of the pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia are non-Saudi (85.15%), males (88.12%), and the majority are holders of bachelor's degrees (85.15%). More than half of the participants spend a considerably sufficient time with the patient 6-10 minutes (60.4%). The availability of a private counseling room in community pharmacies is significantly low (21.78%). Only (69.41%) of participants always counsel the patient before dispensing opioid-related medications. Most of the participants (84.76%) believe that all over-the-counter opioid-related and opioid-containing medications should be restricted to avoid drug abuse.

Conclusion

A little neglect from pharmacists' side regarding dispensing such medications was observed; thus, there is a significant need to raise their awareness regarding over-the-counter opioid abuse.

Community Pharmacist's Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Vitamin Supplements in Al-Khobar Region, Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Aims and Objectives:

To foster a podium for assessing and evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and professional practices of Saudi community pharmacists in counseling patients regarding the safe usage of dietary supplements.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between January 2017 and April 2017. Collection of data was carried out by using a set of 44 semi-structured self-administrated questionnaires. Study was conducted among community pharmacies in Al-Khobar Region, Saudi Arabia, with target sample of 250 pharmacists.

Results:

A total of 102 pharmacists contributed in this study. The mean average score of the participants in subjective assessment of knowledge was 62.45%. Half of the participants (51.96%) achieved good and excellent score in objective assessment regarding knowledge of vitamin, 66.67% of the respondents thought that pharmacists should be knowledgeable regarding vitamin supplements, and 81.37% declared that they inform the patients about possible adverse effects by the use of dietary supplements.

Conclusion:

The study revealed a positive attitude of community pharmacists in Al-Khobar Region on their role in patients’ counseling about the safe usage of vitamins as dietary supplements. However, their level of knowledge about vitamin supplements needs to be improved to meet consumer’s needs regarding usage of dietary supplements.