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Karavolis Z, Thacker E, Fabian T, Douaihy A, Reynolds M, Kirisci L, Tarter R. Pharmacist-implemented intervention to surmount COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in adults with substance use disorders. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2024:zxae095. [PMID: 38557904 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
DISCLAIMER In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. PURPOSE Substance use disorders (SUDs) increase the risk and severity of infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Adults with a co-occurring SUD and psychiatric disorder were studied to elucidate the association between SUD severity and (1) COVID-19 vaccination status, (2) receptivity to a one-session intervention with a pharmacist advocating the benefits of vaccination, and (3) acceptance of referral for vaccination following the intervention. METHODS COVID-19 vaccination status was recorded in 460 adults with SUD (324 males and 136 females) upon entry into inpatient treatment. A 2-parameter item response theory (IRT) model quantified SUD severity. Pharmacist-delivered intervention, modeled after the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) protocol, was offered to unvaccinated participants. RESULTS Higher SUD severity was associated with a lower vaccination rate. Nicotine, opioid, and sedative use disorders were most frequently associated with unvaccinated status. SUD severity was not associated with receptivity to intervention advocating vaccination or subsequent acceptance of a referral for vaccination. The portion of the sample that received the intervention was over 7 times more likely to accept a referral for vaccination when compared to participants who rejected the intervention (20.8% vs 2.8%). CONCLUSION Pharmacist-administered intervention produced motivation for vaccination in a number of recipients; however, receptivity to the intervention was not related to SUD severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Karavolis
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Emily Thacker
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tanya Fabian
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, and School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Antoine Douaihy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maureen Reynolds
- School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Levent Kirisci
- School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ralph Tarter
- School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Amador-Fernández N, Botnaru I, Allemann SS, Kälin V, Berger J. Clinical relevance and implementation into daily practice of pharmacist-prescribed medication for the management of minor ailments. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1256172. [PMID: 38333225 PMCID: PMC10851422 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1256172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Autonomous pharmacist prescribing was legally introduced in Switzerland in 2019 with the reclassification from prescription medication to pharmacist prescribing of 105 medications for sixteen indications. Its aim was to limit medical consultations and healthcare costs. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical relevance of the pharmacy prescribing medications compared to the over-the-counter medications (OTCs) and to evaluate its implementation into daily practice. Methods: A comparison was undertaken by clinical pharmacists to evaluate chemical and galenical equivalences between pharmacy prescribing medications and OTCs using compendium. ch and pharmavista. ch. Then, a scoping review was carried out in October 2021 to determine clinical relevance according to clinical guidelines' recommendations. Clinical relevance was completed by determining if pharmacy prescribing medications were part of a homogeneous therapeutic class (no differences in efficacy and safety considered in clinical guidelines, but rather inter-molecular differences) that included an OTC medication. To identify the most clinically relevant pharmacy prescribing medications, first-line treatments were considered. The implementation into daily practice in Swiss community pharmacies was evaluated through an online questionnaire distributed via e-mail from the national pharmacists' association and LinkedIn®. It included 15 questions divided in: pharmacy demographics, experience on pharmacy prescribing, use of prescribing medications and opinion about the them. Results: Of the 105 pharmacy prescribing medications, 20 (19.0%) were first-line treatments without OTC equivalences. Six of them were OTCs reclassified for safety reasons. Ten medications (9.5%) showed a negative clinical relevance (they were not first-line therapeutic options to support pharmacist when managing patients or considered as to be avoided) compared to the OTCs available. For the questionnaire, 283 pharmacists from the German (40.3%), French (37.1%) and Italian-speaking regions (16.9%) answered. In the previous 6 months, 41.7% pharmacies had delivered 10-50 medications and 30.0% between 1 and 10 medications. In situations where patients could be equally treated with a pharmacy prescribing medication or OTC (with an identical OTC, similar OTC or an OTC for the same therapeutic group): 75.6%, 74.9% and 84.8% of pharmacists, respectively, would have chosen OTCs because it required less documentation and it did not require patients' payment for the service. In addition, pharmacists' lack of training was also mentioned as barrier for providing the service. Conclusion: Most pharmacist prescribing medications do not present clinical advantages compared to OTCs. In addition, other barriers for implementation were also pharmacists' training and patient medications costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Amador-Fernández
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Research and Innovation in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Irina Botnaru
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Véronique Kälin
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Berger
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Research and Innovation in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Gillani AH, Arshad H, Mujtaba H, Umer MF, Xu S, Ji W, Bashir K, Chang J, Yang C, Fang Y. Dispensing of antibiotics for tuberculosis patients using standardized patient approach at community pharmacies: results from a cross-sectional study in Pakistan. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1241551. [PMID: 38259789 PMCID: PMC10801376 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1241551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pakistan is among top countries for antibiotic consumption around the globe and patients often receive antibiotics directly from community pharmacies. Thus, our aim was to assess the drug dispensing practices of pharmacies for presumed and confirmed tuberculosis by using standardized patients' method in Pakistan. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we adopted two standardized patient cases in pharmacies of three cities of Punjab. The first case involved a presumed tuberculosis patient presenting with 2-3 weeks of cough and fever (Case-1), and the second case involved a confirmed tuberculosis patient carrying microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis results (Case-2). The ideal management for Cases-1 and Case-2 is referral of standardized patients to a healthcare provider without dispensing antibiotics or steroids, or both. The differences in antibiotic use, steroid use, and the number of medicines dispensed in referred and non-referred patients between Case-1 and Case-2 were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Between April 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, standardized patients completed 575 out of 598 interactions among community pharmacies in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot. We recorded ideal management in 115 (37.7%) of the 305 Case-1 interactions and 130 (48.1%) of the 270 Case-2 interactions. Antibiotic dispensing was higher in Case-1, with 71 out of 305 instances (23.3%), than in Case-2 interactions, with 27 out of 270 instances (10.0%). Anti-tuberculosis drugs were dispensed to 1 patient in Case-1 (0.3%) and to 19 patients (7.0%) in Case-2. Conclusion Slightly more than one-third of pharmacies in Punjab, Pakistan, ideally managed patients with presumed tuberculosis, but almost half of them ideally managed cases of confirmed tuberculosis. The presence of confirmed diagnosis slightly changes the behavior in the correct management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hassan Gillani
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hafsa Arshad
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hasan Mujtaba
- Department of Pathology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Sen Xu
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjing Ji
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kamran Bashir
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha Pakistan, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Jie Chang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Caijun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Miracle DK, Smith N, Slavova S, Stinson LK, Roberts MF, Rock P, Walsh SL, Freeman PR. Drug disposal deserts: An assessment of receptacle availability in Kentucky community pharmacies. J Rural Health 2024; 40:208-214. [PMID: 37491595 PMCID: PMC10808259 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe the county-level availability of drug disposal receptacles in Kentucky community pharmacies and show the relationship between installed receptacles and opioid analgesic (OA)/controlled substance dispensing rates, stratifying where possible by urban-rural classification. METHODS Using 2020 data from the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting program and disposal receptacle data from the US Drug Enforcement Agency, county-level comparisons were made between number of receptacles and OA/controlled substance dispensing rates. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to assess for differences between rural/urban county designation and odds of ≥1 disposal receptacle and compare the rates of receptacles per dispensed OA dose in rural/urban counties. FINDINGS While rural counties saw higher OA and controlled substance dispensing rates, the majority (55.6%) of disposal receptacles were in urban locations. The odds of having at least 1 receptacle were higher in urban counties (OR 2.60, 95% CI: 1.15, 5.92) compared to rural. The estimated rate of disposal receptacles per million dispensed OA doses was found to be 0.47 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.61) in urban counties compared to 0.32 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.42) in rural counties, with an estimated rate ratio of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.10). CONCLUSIONS A mismatch between the availability of county-level disposal receptacles in community pharmacies and the volume of dispensed OAs/controlled substances exists, resulting in fewer receptacles per dispensed OA in rural counties compared to urban counties. Future efforts are necessary to increase access to convenient disposal receptacles located in community pharmacies, particularly in rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin K Miracle
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Noah Smith
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Svetla Slavova
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Laura K Stinson
- Substance Use Priority Research Area, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Monica F Roberts
- Substance Use Priority Research Area, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Peter Rock
- Substance Use Priority Research Area, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Sharon L Walsh
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Patricia R Freeman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Musafiri C, Nyandwi JB, Hahirwa I. Assessment of community pharmacies readiness to dispense antiretroviral medicines in Rwanda. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 17:2286349. [PMID: 38205193 PMCID: PMC10775709 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2023.2286349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Since the introduction of the 'Test and treat' approach in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) management, various strategies have been devised and implemented by countries to relieve public health facilities of the large numbers of people coming for medicine refills and clinical follow-up. One of the strategies is the dispensing of antiretroviral medicines through community pharmacies. In Rwanda, community pharmacies are not yet involved in antiretrovirals (ARVs) dispensing, and no study has assessed their readiness to provide this service. This study aimed to assess the readiness of community pharmacy staff and infrastructure to implement a decentralised model of antiretroviral medicines dispensing. Methods This cross-sectional study included data from 262 community pharmacies sampled across all districts of Rwanda. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, from February to March 2023. Responses were received for 262 community pharmacies, representing the total sample size. Data analysis was done using quantitative descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Frequency tables and graphs were produced using STATA15 and the outputs were exported to MS Excel as well as MS Word to allow document framing and designing. Results The research has shown a high proportion of community pharmacy staff trained in HIV prevention (82.4% trained on HIV testing), but a low level of training in treatment (30.5%) and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (29.8%). Infrastructure and storage conditions were found to be adequate, with 99.6% of surveyed Pharmacies having sufficient storage space. Majority (93.9%) expressed their willingness to dispense ARVs in the pharmacy premises. A large number of respondents (92.4%) felt that dispensing of antiretroviral medicines through community pharmacies would lead to an increase in sales of over the counter and other non-HIV related medicines. The main anticipated challenge that should be addressed to ensure effective implementation is the lack of interoperability between reporting systems used by community pharmacies and those used by health facilities providing HIV services (76.7% of respondents). Conclusion Community pharmacies in Rwanda have majority of staff trained in various areas of HIV prevention, but a small proportion have been trained in HIV care and treatment. Community pharmacies have the necessary infrastructure to dispense ARVs, and those with shortcomings, such as the lack of a separate room for individual patient counselling, are willing to obtain such a room if they are authorised to dispense ARVs. Staffs are willing to dispense ARVs in community pharmacies if the model is recommended by policymakers. The model could have several benefits for community pharmacies and the public health system in general, but there are also challenges that should be mitigated to ensure effective implementation. The staff willingness and expected benefits constitute enabling factors that the Ministry of Health and the national HIV control programme may leverage to prepare for introducing the model of ARVs distribution through community pharmacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien Musafiri
- EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Innocent Hahirwa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
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Nsengimana A, Biracyaza E, Isimbi J, Uwambajimana C, Hategekimana JC, Kagisha V, Asingizwe D, Nyandwi JB. Request for Antimalarial Medicines and Their Dispensing Without a Prescription in Community Pharmacies in Rwanda. Integr Pharm Res Pract 2023; 12:195-212. [PMID: 37928945 PMCID: PMC10625414 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s428105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to explore the request and dispensing of antimalarial medicines without a prescription in community pharmacies in Rwanda, as well as factors associated. Methods We employed an embedded mixed-methods design that involved a convenience sample of 235 licensed community pharmacists between February and April 2022. To simultaneously collect qualitative and quantitative data, we used a self-administered questionnaire containing a combination of close and open-ended questions. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between dispensing antimalarial medicines without a prescription and the selected independent variables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05, and a 95% confidence interval was applied. The factors influencing the dispensing of antimalarial medicines without a prescription were analyzed using thematic content analysis as a qualitative analysis approach. Results Most respondents (88.5%) were asked to dispense antimalarial medicines by clients without a prescription. More than half of them (54%) agreed, but 34.5% refused; instead, they referred clients to malaria diagnostic testing facilities. Those who had rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in stock (OR=2.08, 95% CI:1.1-3.94), and thought that antimalarials were over-the-counter medicines (OR=7.03, 95% CI:2.01-24.5) were more likely to dispense antimalarial medicines without prescriptions. The primary reasons reported by community pharmacists for dispensing antimalarial medicines without prescriptions included their prior knowledge of malaria diagnosis, client pressure, and fear of losing clients. However, non-adherence to negative results obtained from formal health facilities and long queues at these institutions have also been cited as additional factors driving clients to seek antimalarial medicines without prescriptions. Conclusion Dispensing antimalarial medicines without prescriptions is a common practice in community pharmacies in Rwanda. The main factors contributing to this practice include lack of awareness regarding the classification of antimalarials as prescription medicines, the availability of malaria diagnostic tests, client pressure, and fear of losing clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amon Nsengimana
- US Agency for International Development Global Health Supply Chain Program, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuel Biracyaza
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, Canada
| | - Joyce Isimbi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | | | - Vedaste Kagisha
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Domina Asingizwe
- Department of Physiotherapy; University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
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Risøy AJ, Kjome RLS, Sandberg S, Sølvik UØ. Diabetes risk assessments and HbA1c-measurements in community pharmacies. Int J Pharm Pract 2023; 31:512-519. [PMID: 37527496 DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riad055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Due to a lack of clear symptoms, type 2 diabetes (T2D) can remain undetected for many years. The aim of the study was to explore if Norwegian community pharmacies could identify individuals with a high risk of developing T2D by offering a diabetes risk assessment service. This study also investigated if the service recruited individuals that the national guideline recommends for diabetes risk assessment, and the proportion of participants who had visited their GP at least once a year. METHODS During the inclusion period (September 2016 to the middle of April 2017), pharmacy customers 45 years or older wishing to participate contacted the pharmacy staff. Included participants completed a diabetes risk test and participants with a high risk were offered an HbA1c measurement. At two months after intervention, all participants were followed up. KEY FINDINGS Of the 245 participants, 27% had a high risk of developing T2D. Of these, 46%, 43% and 9% had HbA1c values corresponding to normal (<39 mmol/mol [5.7%]), prediabetes (39-47 mmol/mol [5.7-6.4%]) or above cut-off for diabetes (≥48 mmol/mol [≥6.5%]), respectively. A total of 86% of the participants were in at least one category that the guideline recommends for a diabetes risk assessment, and 88% had visited their GP at least once a year. CONCLUSIONS Norwegian community pharmacies can identify individuals with a high risk of developing T2D by offering a diabetes risk assessment service. Individuals who sought out the service were within the relevant demographics for testing, and a high proportion visited their GP at least once a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslaug Johanne Risøy
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Centre for Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Reidun Lisbet Skeide Kjome
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Centre for Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Sandberg
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus), Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Una Ørvim Sølvik
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Colonia DRM, Ramírez Patiño D, Higuita-Gutiérrez LF. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Sales in Pharmacies in Medellín, Colombia 2023. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1456. [PMID: 37760752 PMCID: PMC10525149 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the sale of antibiotics in pharmacies in Medellín, Colombia. METHOD A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 277 selected pharmacies using a stratified sampling method with proportional allocation to represent all areas of the city. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) were assessed using a scale, analyzed with absolute and relative frequencies for each item, and represented in a global score ranging from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better KAPs. Data were analyzed using relative frequencies with 95% confidence intervals, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and linear regression. RESULTS Of the included pharmacies, 52.6% were chain pharmacies, 48.4% were attended by pharmacy assistants, and 59% of pharmacists had more than 5 years of experience. The median knowledge score was 70.8 (IQR 58.3-87.5), with 35.3% of pharmacists believing that antibiotics are effective in treating the common cold, 35.2% for treating COVID-19, and 29.4% considering them available for sale without a medical prescription. The attitude score was 53.3 (40.0-66.7), with 60.9% agreeing that prohibiting the sale of antibiotics without a prescription would decrease their sales. The practice score was 62.5 (40.0-79.2), with 65.4% of pharmacists stating that they sometimes sell antibiotics without a prescription due to patients struggling to obtain a medical consultation, 61.3% admitting to selling antibiotics without a prescription for urinary tract infections, and 41.3% for upper respiratory tract infections. Practices were predominantly influenced by pharmacy type (chain or independent) and, to a lesser extent, by knowledge and attitudes. CONCLUSION Pharmacists in Medellín exhibit inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use and sale of antibiotics without a medical prescription. These findings align with international evidence highlighting the need for educational and regulatory strategies promoting rational antibiotic use in pharmacies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luis Felipe Higuita-Gutiérrez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín 050012, Colombia;
- Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
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Dores AR, Peixoto M, Carvalho IP, Jesus Â, Moreira F, Marques A. The Pharmacy of the Future: Pharmacy Professionals' Perceptions and Contributions Regarding New Services in Community Pharmacies. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2580. [PMID: 37761777 PMCID: PMC10531482 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11182580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has revolutionized the provision of health services, often referred to as eHealth, benefiting community pharmacies that can offer new services in innovative formats, namely through telepharmacy. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of pharmacy professionals (i.e., pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) on the provision of new services. The study consisted of administering an online questionnaire to pharmacy professionals nationwide. The questionnaire was developed by the research team, based on focus group methodology, from which an inductive analysis led to the categories that made up the dimensions of the survey. Participants were 95 pharmacy professionals with a mean age of 33.69 years old (SD = 10.75). Almost 79% were women. The results show overall receptivity to the development of new services in community pharmacies. Suggestions for the development of the new services, conditions necessary for their implementation, potential obstacles, and strategies to promote adherence to the new services, among others, are identified. The knowledge thus acquired will help community pharmacies to develop innovative solutions in counselling, pharmacotherapy monitoring, and pharmacovigilance, for example, of herb/dietary supplement-drug adverse reactions and interactions. Based on this information, new services can become more accessible, namely through the use of ICTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemisa R. Dores
- Laboratório de Reabilitação Psicossocial, Centro de Investigação em Reabilitação (CIR), Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESS-IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Miguel Peixoto
- Laboratório de Reabilitação Psicossocial, Centro de Investigação em Reabilitação (CIR), Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESS-IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Irene P. Carvalho
- Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângelo Jesus
- CISA, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESS-IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (Â.J.); (F.M.)
| | - Fernando Moreira
- CISA, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESS-IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (Â.J.); (F.M.)
| | - António Marques
- Laboratório de Reabilitação Psicossocial, Centro de Investigação em Reabilitação (CIR), Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESS-IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (A.M.)
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Chalkidou A, Lambert M, Cordoba G, Taxis K, Hansen MP, Bjerrum L. Misconceptions and Knowledge Gaps on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Four Healthcare Settings and Five European Countries-A Modified Delphi Study. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1435. [PMID: 37760731 PMCID: PMC10525245 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Misconceptions and knowledge gaps about antibiotics contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to identify and prioritize misconceptions and knowledge gaps about antibiotic use from a healthcare professionals' perspective. A modified Delphi study with a predefined list of statements, two questionnaire rounds, and an expert meeting was conducted. The statements were rated by healthcare professionals from France, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain, and from general practice, out-of-hour services, nursing homes, and pharmacies. A total of 44 pre-defined statements covered the following themes: (1) antimicrobial resistance in general, (2) use of antibiotics in general, (3) use of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections, and (4) use of antibiotics for urinary tract infections. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement between the professionals during the second Delphi round. For 30% of the statements, professionals from the four settings together reached consensus. In each setting individually, at least 50% of the statements reached consensus, indicating that there are still many misconceptions and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. Six educational tools (leaflets, posters, checklists) were developed to address the knowledge gaps and misconceptions. These can be used by patients and healthcare professionals to improve the use of antibiotics in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Chalkidou
- Section and Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Maarten Lambert
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.L.); (K.T.)
| | - Gloria Cordoba
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa;
| | - Katja Taxis
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.L.); (K.T.)
| | - Malene Plejdrup Hansen
- Center for General Practice, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Audit Project Odense, Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Bjerrum
- Section and Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark;
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Hung PN, Phu HL, Huong VTM, Phuong TN, Tuong VL, Tram HN, Vinh QD, Minh NL. Evaluating attitudes, behaviors, and relevant factors in dispensing antibiotics without prescription by pharmacies: a cross-sectional study in Vietnam. Ann Ig 2023; 35:586-601. [PMID: 36960886 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2023.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To standardize a questionnaire about drug dispensers' attitudes and behaviors in dispensing antibiotics without prescription, and to evaluate drug dispensers' attitudes, behaviors, and relevant factors in dispensing antibiotics without prescription at community pharmacies in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Can Tho City, Vietnam from June to December 2022. A self-administered questionnaire designed according to the Theory of Planned Behavior was used for data collection. The questionnaire was composed of 33 statements scored on the 5-point Likert scale, which was completed by interviews with 180 pharmacy dispensers to Can Tho. Exploratory Factor Analysis was also utilized to uncover major determinants of dispensing antibiotics without prescription. Results Of the 180 participants, 65% of drug dispensers were female (n=117), 59.4% were university graduates (n= 107), and 80.6% had experience of less than 10 years (n=145). A pharmacy is the first destination people think about when they have a health issue. Unfortunately, dispensing antibiotics without a valid prescription is not in compliance with governmental regulations. In the study, perceived behavioral control factors were found to be the most critical determinants of the behavior, followed by subjective norms. By contrast, attitudinal factors presented no impact on intention to dispensing antibiotics without prescription. Conclusions The provision of non-prescription is primarily influenced by the perception of the distributors and external factors. Developing interventions is necessary to increase public awareness of the misuse and misunderstanding of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- P N Hung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Management, Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - H L Phu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - V T M Huong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - T N Phuong
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - V L Tuong
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - H N Tram
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Q D Vinh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - N L Minh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
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Alzarea AI, Khan YH, Alanazi AS, Alotaibi NH, Alzarea SI, Almalki ZS, Alqahtani SS, Mallhi TH. Evaluation of Outreach of Community Pharmacists in Public Health Services in Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2299. [PMID: 37628497 PMCID: PMC10454010 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diversifying the conventional role of community pharmacists from dispensing to involvement in public health services could help in optimized patient care and ultimately good health practices. The current study aimed to ascertain the involvement of community pharmacists, barriers to involvement, their preparedness towards the provision of public health services in the future, and effective strategies to improve their existing role, especially in remote areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between January to April 2023. A convenient sampling technique was used to recruit community pharmacists (CPs). A self-designed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The relative importance index (RII) was utilized to rank the barriers to participation in public health services. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. RESULTS This study recruited 119 participants (mean age: 32.2 ± 7.9; male gender: 67.2%). Of these, 91.6% were involved in the provision of public health services at community pharmacies. Majority of CPs (n = 114/119, 95.8%) provided drug use-related written information to the patients, and the least practiced service was screening of dyslipidemia (n = 81; 68.1%). According to RII, the major barrier was the lack of time given by patients (RII: 0.812). Overall, the majority of the pharmacists (n = 94/119; 79%) were willing to provide public health services. Most of the CPs reported that empowerment through education and awareness (n = 100/119; 84%) is most effective strategy to enhance the involvement of pharmacists in public health services. CONCLUSIONS Findings of the present study underscored the adequate participation of community pharmacists in public health activities. Further studies are required in other remote regions of KSA to get a clear insight into the overall participation of community pharmacists in public health services and generalize the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Ibrahim Alzarea
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (Y.H.K.); (A.S.A.); (N.H.A.)
| | - Yusra Habib Khan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (Y.H.K.); (A.S.A.); (N.H.A.)
| | - Abdullah Salah Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (Y.H.K.); (A.S.A.); (N.H.A.)
- Health Sciences Research Unit, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser Hadal Alotaibi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (Y.H.K.); (A.S.A.); (N.H.A.)
| | - Sami I. Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ziyad Saeed Almalki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Saad S. Alqahtani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (Y.H.K.); (A.S.A.); (N.H.A.)
- Health Sciences Research Unit, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
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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 (Basel) 2023; 11:127. [PMID: 37624082 PMCID: PMC10460015 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11040127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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AlAhmad MM, Rabbani SA, Al-Salman R, Alameri H, Al Namer Y, Jaber AAS. Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices of Community Pharmacists in United Arab Emirates. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1238. [PMID: 37627658 PMCID: PMC10451195 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this paper is to assess the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four AMS outpatient core elements, namely, commitment, action, tracking and reporting, and education and expertise, with each element containing different associated items. Pharmacy teams' responses were categorized into three levels: low, satisfactory, or high. RESULTS Fifty-five pharmacy teams participated. Respondents confirmed implementation of at least one item of each AMS outpatient core element: commitment (94.5%), action (94.5%), tracking and reporting (67.3%), and education and expertise (81.8%). In supporting AMS implementation, surveyed teams scored high (81.8%) for action, satisfactory (65.5%) for education and expertise, low (43.6%) for tracking and reporting, and satisfactory (76.4%) for commitment. Attending antimicrobial stewardship programs was found to be a statistically significant predictor of implementation of antimicrobial stewardship activities (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS The majority of community pharmacies met the core elements of outpatient antimicrobial stewardship to some degree. There is a significant association between participation in antimicrobial stewardship programs and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship activities by pharmacists in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M. AlAhmad
- Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain 64141, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 112612, United Arab Emirates
| | - Syed Arman Rabbani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Hiba Alameri
- Proficiency Healthcare Diagnostics Laboratory, Al Ain 97751, United Arab Emirates
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Sono TM, Yeika E, Cook A, Kalungia A, Opanga SA, Acolatse JEE, Sefah IA, Jelić AG, Campbell S, Lorenzetti G, Ul Mustafa Z, Marković-Peković V, Kurdi A, Anand Paramadhas BD, Rwegerera GM, Amu AA, Alabi ME, Wesangula E, Oluka M, Khuluza F, Chikowe I, Fadare JO, Ogunleye OO, Kibuule D, Hango E, Schellack N, Ramdas N, Massele A, Mudenda S, Hoxha I, Moore CE, Godman B, Meyer JC. Current rates of purchasing of antibiotics without a prescription across sub-Saharan Africa; rationale and potential programmes to reduce inappropriate dispensing and resistance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:1025-1055. [PMID: 37740561 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2259106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern. Currently, the greatest mortality due to AMR is in Africa. A key driver continues to be high levels of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription. AREAS COVERED A need to document current rates of dispensing, their rationale and potential ways forward including antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs). A narrative review was undertaken. The highest rates of antibiotic purchasing were in Eritrea (up to 89.2% of antibiotics dispensed), Ethiopia (up to 87.9%), Nigeria (up to 86.5%), Tanzania (up to 92.3%) and Zambia (up to 100% of pharmacies dispensing antibiotics without a prescription). However, considerable variation was seen with no dispensing in a minority of countries and situations. Key drivers of self-purchasing included high co-payment levels for physician consultations and antibiotic costs, travel costs, convenience of pharmacies, patient requests, limited knowledge of antibiotics and AMR and weak enforcement. ASPs have been introduced in some African countries along with quality targets to reduce inappropriate dispensing, centering on educating pharmacists and patients. EXPERT OPINION ASP activities need accelerating among community pharmacies alongside quality targets, with greater monitoring of pharmacists' activities to reduce inappropriate dispensing. Such activities, alongside educating patients and healthcare professionals, should enhance appropriate dispensing of antibiotics and reduce AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiyani Milta Sono
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Saselamani Pharmacy, Saselamani, South Africa
| | - Eugene Yeika
- Programs coordinator/Technical supervisor for HIV/Malaria, Delegation of Public Health, Cameroon
| | - Aislinn Cook
- Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aubrey Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sylvia A Opanga
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Israel Abebrese Sefah
- Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana
| | - Ana Golić Jelić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Giulia Lorenzetti
- Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Zia Ul Mustafa
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacy Services, District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital, Pakpattan, Pakistan
| | - Vanda Marković-Peković
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
- College of Pharmacy, Al-Kitab University, Kirkuk, Iraq
| | - Bene D Anand Paramadhas
- Department of Health Services Management, Central Medical Stores, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- DestinyMedical and Research Solutions Proprietary Limited, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Adefolarin A Amu
- Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini
| | - Mobolaji Eniola Alabi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences,University of Kwazulu-natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
| | - Evelyn Wesangula
- East Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Felix Khuluza
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Ibrahim Chikowe
- Pharmacy Department, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) (formerly College of Medicine), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Joseph O Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Uganda
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Ester Hango
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Natalie Schellack
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, SouthAfrica
| | - Nishana Ramdas
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Steward Mudenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary Meicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Catrin E Moore
- Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Schoolof Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho HealthSciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Aziz MM, Rasool MF, Alanazi M, Alharby TN, Alanazi J, Huwaimel B. Evaluating the Counseling Standards and Ability of Pharmacy Staff to Detect Antibiotic-Drugs Interactions: A Simulated Client Study from Pakistan. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050931. [PMID: 37237834 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective and safe medication use can be maximized by providing medication counseling, which aims to optimize therapeutic results. This approach improves the effectiveness of antibacterial treatment, reduces treatment expenses, and mitigates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. No research from Pakistan has been previously documented. The purpose of this research was to evaluate both the quality of antibiotic counseling provided and the level of understanding exhibited by pharmacy employees with regard to interactions involving antibiotic medications. Using a simulated client method, two scenarios were used to assess 562 pharmacies that were systematically selected. Scenario 1 focused the counseling for use of prescribed medicines with non-prescribed antibiotics. Scenario2 indicated counseling provision for prescribed antibiotics that have possible antibiotic-drug interactions. The evaluation of counseling skills was also conducted. The analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Only 34.1% of simulated clients received medication counseling directly; 45% received it on request. About 31.2% of clients were referred to a physician without counseling. The most frequently provided information was therapy dose (81.6%) and duration (57.4%). More than half (54.0%) of clients were asked about disease duration, but drug storage was ignored. Insufficient information was provided about side effects (1.1%) and antibiotic-drug interactions (1.4%). Most (54.3%) clients were instructed about dietary or lifestyle modifications. Only 1.9% of clients received information about drug administration route. No information was provided about other medication during therapy, effect of medicine withdrawal, and compliance to medication. The current level of antibiotic counseling within Pakistani community pharmacies is inadequate and requires the attention of medical authorities. Professional training of staff could improve counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Majid Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fawad Rasool
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muteb Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha'il, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tareq Nafea Alharby
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha'il, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jowaher Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha'il, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader Huwaimel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha'il, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
- Medical and Diagnostic Research Center, University of Ha'il, Hail 55473, Saudi Arabia
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Eldooma I, Maatoug M, Yousif M. Outcomes of Pharmacist-Led Pharmaceutical Care Interventions Within Community Pharmacies: Narrative Review. Integr Pharm Res Pract 2023; 12:113-126. [PMID: 37216033 PMCID: PMC10198268 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s408340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical care (PhC) services interventions led by pharmacists within community pharmacies (CPs) are essential in achieving optimal medication use outcomes. PhC is a concept related to medication use goals optimization through the reduction and prevention of drug-related problems (DRPs). This review paper summarized the literature on pharmacist-led PhC interventions within CPs. PubMed and Google Scholar publications were searched, identified, and summarized. Results showed that some studies handled community pharmacists' roles, and some talked about PhC interventions. However, some studies reviewed the use of medicines, adherence, and follow-up, while other groups were on counseling, patient education, and health promotion. Pharmacists integrated some studies concerning diagnosis and disease screening into community pharmacy services. Besides these studies, there were studies on system design and installation of PhC service models. Most of the identified research results showed pharmacist-led intervention benefits for patients. These benefits include reduced DRPs, clinical, economical, humane, education and knowledge, disease prevention and immunization, identification of practice process problems, and the need for current practice redesigning. In conclusion, pharmacists can help patients achieve optimal outcomes through pharmacist-led interventions. Despite mentioned results, We recommend researching comprehensively applied PhC services provision models within CPs for more pharmacists-led interventions and role activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismaeil Eldooma
- Department of Planning, Research, and Information; National Health Insurance Fund, Wad-Medani, Sudan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Gezira, Wad-Medani, Sudan
| | - Maha Maatoug
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Gezira, Wad-Medani, Sudan
| | - Mirghani Yousif
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Gezira, Wad-Medani, Sudan
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Rabbani SA, Sridhar SB, Safdar M, Rao PGM, Jaber AAS, AlAhmad MM, Shaar K, Emad I, Azim MA. Assessment of Prescribing Practices and Factors Related to Antibiotic Prescribing in Community Pharmacies. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:medicina59050843. [PMID: 37241075 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Overprescribing of antibiotics is one of the important contributors of antimicrobial resistance globally. A high proportion of antibiotics prescribed in community settings are unnecessary or inappropriate. This study assesses the prescribing practices and factors related to antibiotic prescribing in community pharmacies in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing a quantitative approach was carried out in the community pharmacies of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. Six hundred and thirty prescription encounters from 21 randomly selected community pharmacies were investigated using World Health Organization (WHO) core prescribing indicators. Factors related to antibiotic prescribing were identified using logistic regression analyses. Results: In 630 prescription encounters, a total of 1814 drugs were prescribed. Out of these, the most commonly prescribed drug class was antibiotics (43.8% prescriptions) and the antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid (22.4%). The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.88, which was higher than the WHO recommended value of 1.6-1.8. In addition, more than half of the prescriptions (58.6%) had drugs by generic names and the majority of the drugs prescribed (83.8%) were from the essential drug list, which were lower than the optimal values of 100%. The majority of the antibiotics prescribed in the study were from the WHO's Access group antibiotics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified patient age (children-OR: 7.40, 95% CI: 2.32-23.62, p = 0.001 and adolescent-OR: 5.86, 95% CI: 1.57-21.86, p = 0.008), prescriber qualification as general practitioner (OR: 1.84, 95% CI:1.30-2.60, p = 0.001), and number of drugs per prescription (OR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.98-6.21, p < 0.001) as independent factors associated with antibiotic prescribing. Conclusions: This study reveals considerable variations from the WHO recommendations for the different prescribing indicators in the community pharmacies of RAK, UAE. In addition, the study reports overprescribing of antibiotics in the community setting, indicating the need for interventions to promote rational use of antibiotics in a community setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Arman Rabbani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sathvik B Sridhar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maryam Safdar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Padma G M Rao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Mohammad M AlAhmad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled Shaar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Israa Emad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muhammad Abdul Azim
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, RAK College of Pharmacy, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
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Gernant SA, Nigro SC, Cruess DG, Smith M, Rickles NM. Age, gender, and setting's effect on community pharmacists' stress and confidence in the COVID-19 pandemic. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm 2023; 9:100239. [PMID: 36968326 PMCID: PMC9997053 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Reports of increased stress among healthcare workers were commonplace during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about community pharmacists' experiences. Objective To characterize community pharmacists' stress and confidence during the early COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated factors. Methods Pharmacists who worked in a brick-and-mortar community pharmacy (e.g., big-box, chain, independent, or grocery pharmacies) located in Connecticut and had regular face-to-face interaction with the public were surveyed. Survey items were selected from the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and adapted from the Emergency Risk-Communication (ERC) framework. Data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA. Results Survey results suggested pharmacists experienced moderate levels of stress, as negative responses to PSS-10 items ranged between 6.4% to 43.3%, respectively. Overall, pharmacists had high rates of confidence in their ability to manage the pandemic, agreeing or strongly agreeing that they could manage their own mental health (73.1%), and communicate risks of the pandemic (72.0%). However, 28.0% reported that they had avoided talking about the pandemic because it made them feel “stressed, or nervous.” Women and those working in chain community pharmacies tended to report significantly higher rates of stress to several items in the PSS-10 compared to men and pharmacists working in non-chain settings. Women and chain community pharmacists were also significantly more likely to report overall that they had avoided talking about public health risks because it made them feel anxious, stressed, or depressed (29.4% men vs. 34.5% women χ2 (4) > 22.6, p < 0.01). However, confidence to communicate critical risk messages neither differed between men and women (77.6% men vs. 68.8% women χ2 (4) > 8.3, p = 0.08), nor between chain and non-chain community pharmacists (71.0% chain vs. 73.7% non-chain χ2 (4) > 8.9, p = 0.32). Conclusion Being female, younger age, and employed at a chain pharmacy were associated with higher rates of stress and lower self-confidence among community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Gernant
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06229, United States of America
- Corresponding author.
| | - Stefanie C. Nigro
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06229, United States of America
| | - Dean G. Cruess
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, United States of America
| | - Marie Smith
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06229, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel M. Rickles
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 North Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06229, United States of America
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Kunow C, Langer B. Using the Simulated Patient Methodology in the Form of Mystery Calls in Community Pharmacy Practice Research: A Scoping Review Protocol. Pharmacy (Basel) 2023; 11:pharmacy11020047. [PMID: 36961025 PMCID: PMC10037651 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Community pharmacies (CPs) play a major role in health care delivery. The simulated patient methodology (SPM), which is considered the "gold standard", is recommended for studying CP practice. SPM can be applied in different forms, which include visits and also calls ("mystery calls"). So far, only the role of visits in the investigation of CP practice is known. As the first study worldwide, a systematic map of such reports will be provided, which applies calls in the context of the SPM for the study of CP practice. Reports with the pharmacy staff as the population under study should be included. Reports should be included that conduct an investigation using the SPM in the form of calls to simulate patients and other customers. Reports should be included that examine CP practice as defined by the International Pharmaceutical Federation and the World Health Organization (FIP/WHO). The scoping review methodology will be applied using the associated guidelines from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). The search will be for both published and unpublished original research in English with transparent information on SPM until the end of 2022. The plan is to search Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Web of Science. Directly afterward, the respective literature collection of the reviewers and the reference lists of suitable international reviews will be searched. This will be followed by a forward and backward snowballing in Google Scholar. For the inclusion of reports, a selection process and for the data extraction a data charting process with the help of variables derived from related reviews and from two SPM-form spanning international guidelines will be performed. The data extracted from the included reports should be synthesized and presented in MS Excel tabular form using the previously determined variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kunow
- Department of Health, Nursing, Management, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg, Brodaer Straße 2, 17033 Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Langer
- Department of Health, Nursing, Management, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg, Brodaer Straße 2, 17033 Neubrandenburg, Germany
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21
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Baratta F, Folpini E, Ciccolella M, Brusa P. Patient Care in Community Pharmacies during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Effectiveness of Post-Graduate Education and Further Training Courses on Revenues. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3774. [PMID: 36900788 PMCID: PMC10000959 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Thanks to their distribution throughout the territory and extended opening hours, community pharmacists are among the healthcare specialists most easily accessible to the public and often represent the first point of consultation both for the treatment of acute health conditions and, more generally, for health and therapy advice. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether post-graduate courses/further training courses for pharmacists might influence the quality of patient management and care and, consequently, the satisfaction of the users who entered the pharmacy. We used the revenues of the pharmacies (Group A) in which these pharmacists are employed as a performance indicator. We compared the data for this group with the national averages for Italian pharmacies (Group B) and with those of a group (Group C) of selected pharmacies as similar as possible to the pharmacies in Group A based on a number of well-defined parameters. The comparison of revenues, year-on-year changes, and the average number of sales by the pharmacies in the three groups indicates that the pharmacies in Group A had the best performance, not only when compared with the national average but especially compared with the control group, specifically selected to make the comparison as significant as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baratta
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Folpini
- New Line Ricerche di Mercato, Via Riccardo Lombardi 19/10, 20153 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Paola Brusa
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
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22
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Eldooma I, Maatoug M, Yousif M. Pharmaceutical Care Within Community Pharmacies: Tools Availability and Pharmacists' Views, Wad-Medani, Sudan. Integr Pharm Res Pract 2023; 12:37-47. [PMID: 36818198 PMCID: PMC9930573 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s399265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pharmaceutical Care (PhC) services within community pharmacies (CPs) have become a vital issue in many developed countries. Purpose This study assessed the availability of PhC tools and pharmacists' views towards PhC services within CPs in Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The participants were 120 community pharmacists. Results Fifty-eight percent of respondents used to work in pharmacies near homes rather than within the marketplace. The study revealed that the overall tool availability of the assessed components and items was only 25% (Counselling areas 3%, Records 5%, Pharmacist identity 3%, Pharmacy phones 15%, Medical devices 38%, and Staff 29%). The result of pharmacists' views towards the PhC concept, roles, and responsibilities showed a high level of agreement, at 88%, with a statistically insignificant difference between participants. Conclusion Tools available within CPs were lower than required. However, pharmacists' views showed a high agreement level towards PhC concept roles and responsibilities. Community pharmacists, academic sectors, and regulatory authorities must start initiatives to improve the provision of PhC tools for better patient care service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismaeil Eldooma
- National Health Insurance Fund. Planning, Research, and Information, Gezira State, Sudan
- Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
| | - Maha Maatoug
- Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
| | - Mirghani Yousif
- Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
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23
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Abu-Sini MK, Maharmah RA, Abulebdah DH, Al-Sabi MNS. Isolation and Identification of Coliform Bacteria and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli from Water Intended for Drug Compounding in Community Pharmacies in Jordan. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11030299. [PMID: 36766874 PMCID: PMC9913939 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Water is necessary for the preparation of some medicines found in pharmacies where the local water source does not meet the required purity. This study aimed to investigate the presence of coliform contamination in water used for drug reconstitution in community pharmacies in Jordan. (2) Methods: Two water samples from 50 randomly selected community pharmacies representing all Jordanian governorates were filtered and then cultured in plate count agars to determine total microbial count, and in m-Endo Agar Les and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar to cultivate Escherichia coli (E. coli). The presence of E. coli was further characterized with gram stains, biochemical tests, and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility of isolated E. coli was tested against a variety of standard antibiotics. (3) Results: Community pharmacies used droppers filled with water from coolers (62%), bottled water (20%), boiled tap water (16%) and tap water (2%). The majority of the sampled water contained coliform bacteria (88%), and E. coli was isolated from 26% of all samples. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the percentage of contaminated water samples based on its source location. Nonetheless, the results showed a tendency for higher proportions of contamination in droppers filled from boiled tap water (37.5%; SE: 17.1), followed by water from water coolers (25.8%; SE: 7.9), and then from bottled water (20%; SE: 12.7). All of the isolated E. coli were sensitive to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The susceptibility of the isolates to ceftazidime, doxycycline, tetracycline, azithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were 92%, 61%, 46%, 23% and 15%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: This study confirms the widespread presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in water intended for reconstituting drugs in local pharmacies. These findings expose an alarming situation that needs special attention by the acting pharmacists and competent authorities. Higher levels of personal hygiene in the pharmacies coupled with regular inspection of water quality may reduce the risk of microbial contamination in compounded products, especially multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli and other index microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad K. Abu-Sini
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +962-6-4291511 (ext. 454) or +962-786640789
| | - Rafeef A. Maharmah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Dina H. Abulebdah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Mohammad N. S. Al-Sabi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
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24
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Hibino Y, Matsumoto S, Nagase H, Nakamura T, Kato Y, Isomura T, Hori M. Exploring Changes in Attitudes, Behaviors, and Self-Measured Health Data Through Lifestyle Modification Support by Community Pharmacists: Suito-Ogaki Selfcare (SOS) Trial. Integr Pharm Res Pract 2023; 12:87-99. [PMID: 37124706 PMCID: PMC10143748 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s408813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Contributing to public health by supporting people's health is the social mission of community pharmacists. This multicenter, prospective case series study aimed to evaluate changes in people's behavior and health states through community pharmacists' self-care support for healthy lifestyles. Methods The participants were recruited from voluntary adults aged ≥20 years who agreed to participate in the study, at community pharmacies in Gifu, Japan, between June and September 2021. Participants self-managed their lifestyles for six months while recording their health data, including blood pressure (BP), daily using devices (home BP monitor, body composition monitor, and activity meter) and a diet-recording app. They received lifestyle modification support at pharmacies at least once per month. Participants' subjective health status, attitudes, and behavioral changes were evaluated using self-report questionnaires. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, data were primarily analyzed descriptively. Results Fifty-four participants aged 20 to 77 (mean age: 49.6 years; female participant proportion: 55.6%) participated in this study. Their mean weekly BP shifted almost horizontally from baseline to week 24 (systolic BP: 118.8 to 121.5 mmHg; diastolic BP: 76.1 to 77.5 mmHg). At six months, 38.9% and 35.2% of the participants reported better overall health and mental health, respectively, than at baseline. Over 85% of the participants became more proactive in improving their lifestyles regarding salt intake, diet, weight loss, and exercise, although drinking and smoking habits were more challenging to change. All the participants reported that they intended to continue to improve their lifestyle. Conclusion The participants' responses suggested that community pharmacists' support helped increase participants' health awareness and promote their health-enhancing behaviors. However, its impact on health parameters should be further examined in future studies. More vigorous, tailored self-care support may be worth considering in developing a more effective, community-fitted health/well-being support system in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hisamitsu Nagase
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical Science, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takamasa Nakamura
- Japan Selfcare Promotion Association, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical Study Support, Inc, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Kato
- Japan Selfcare Promotion Association, Tokyo, Japan
- Kowa Company, Ltd, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Isomura
- Japan Selfcare Promotion Association, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical Study Support, Inc, Nagoya, Japan
- Correspondence: Tatsuya Isomura, Japan Selfcare Promotion Association, Showayakubou Bldg. 5F, 3-4-18 Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0023, Japan, Tel +81-3-6271-8941, Fax +81-3-6271-8942, Email
| | - Michiko Hori
- Japan Selfcare Promotion Association, Tokyo, Japan
- SIC Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
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Jambrina AM, Santomà À, Rocher A, Rams N, Cereza G, Rius P, Gironès M, Pareja C, Franch À, Rabanal M. Detection and Prevention of Medication Errors by the Network of Sentinel Pharmacies in a Southern European Region. J Clin Med 2022; 12. [PMID: 36614995 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A medication error (ME) is a drug-related problem that has been recognized as a common and serious threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to detect and analyze ME reports occurring throughout the therapeutic process through the community's pharmacies in order to improve the efficacy and safety of medications and contribute to the prevention of future MEs. This was a three-year descriptive, observational, and prospective study to detect and analyze the different MEs reported by the Catalan sentinel pharmacies network (Catalan SePhaNet). In total, 1394 notifications of MEs were reported (an incidence rate of 737.34 cases/100,000 inhabitants). MEs were detected more frequently in primary care centers. Most of the MEs reported were caused by an incorrect, incomplete, illegible, or verbal medical prescription (41.3%). Of the global notifications detected, 71.9% did not reach the patient (categories A and B). The drugs most frequently implicated in the reported ME cases were beta-lactam antibiotics. In 6.0% of the cases, the ME caused injury to the patient (categories E and F). In 72.0% of the global notifications, a pharmacist's intervention avoided the ME. The importance of a community pharmacy and the role of a pharmacist were demonstrated in aspects related to patient and drug safety.
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26
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Plans Rubió P, Jambrina AM, Rius P, Carmona G, Rabanal M, Gironès M. High Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness and Absence of Increased Influenza-like-Illness Epidemic Activity in the 2021-2022 Influenza Season in Catalonia (Spain) Based on Surveillance Data Collected by Sentinel Pharmacies. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122140. [PMID: 36560550 PMCID: PMC9783856 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination are the key activities for preventing and controlling influenza epidemics. The study assessed the influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination data obtained from sentinel pharmacies of Catalonia, Spain, in the 2021-2022 influenza season. The sentinel pharmacies were selected from all community pharmacies to report all influenza-like illness (ILI) cases detected during the 2021-2022 influenza season and collect influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination data. The ILI cases were identified based on European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) criteria. The moving epidemic method (MEM) was used to assess the ILI epidemic activity. The screening method was used to assess influenza vaccination effectiveness in patients aged 65-or-more years old. The sentinel pharmacies reported 212 ILI cases with a negative COVID-19 test and a total number of 412 ILI cases. An absence of increased ILI epidemic activity was observed in the 2021-2022 influenza season based on two criteria: (1) Number of ILI cases reported per week in the 2021-2022 influenza season significantly lower than the MEM-based epidemic threshold. (2) Mean number of ILI cases reported per week in the 2021-2022 influenza season significantly lower than during the ILI/influenza epidemic periods detected from 2017 to 2020 using the same methodology. Influenza vaccination was effective in preventing ILI among patients aged 65-or-more-years old. The absence of the influenza epidemic during the 2021-2022 influenza season could be explained by influenza vaccination and COVID-19 prevention measures (wearing face masks, social distancing). The sentinel pharmacies provided influenza surveillance data not provided by traditional influenza surveillance systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Plans Rubió
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Health Department of Catalonia, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28028 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna M. Jambrina
- General Directorate for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Department of Health of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Rius
- Council of the Pharmacists’ Association of Catalonia, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gloria Carmona
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Health Department of Catalonia, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Rabanal
- General Directorate for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Department of Health of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montse Gironès
- Council of the Pharmacists’ Association of Catalonia, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Poompruek P, Perris A, Whanpuch P, Chandler CIR, Sringernyuang L. Mystifying medicines and maximising profit: Antibiotic distribution in community pharmacies in Thailand. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3931-3943. [PMID: 35282798 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2049843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thailand's antimicrobial stewardship strategy has focussed on promoting 'rational drug use' in the public sector, to reduce the threat of drug resistance and control healthcare expenditure. The strategy's next ambition is to attend to the private sector, where antibiotics are widely available over the counter without prescription. Using ethnographic and survey data, this paper follows antibiotics through community pharmacies, to explore drug distribution and access, and identify potential challenges for stewardship. We extend the analytical frame beyond 'irrational' dispenser-customer transactions, to explore the logics of practice of a multiplicity of actors in the context of a highly competitive pharmaceutical market. Highlighting the role of the pharmaceutical industry in mystifying medicines, we show how antibiotics are collapsed into a category of 'strong medicines' and requested by customers using 'prescriptions by proxy'. We further examine how Thailand's drug regulation and classificatory systems, historically orientated around access to medicines, enable the proliferation of antibiotics in the context of contemporary efforts to control distribution. Recognising the negotiations involved in dispensing antibiotics in a pluralistic health system, we attempt to reconfigure allocations of responsibility, advocating for stewardship approaches that take into account local ecologies of care, as well as implications for access, equity, and accountability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panoopat Poompruek
- Department of Community Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Anna Perris
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Phakha Whanpuch
- Department of Society and Health, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Ibrahim OM, Meslamani AZA, Ibrahim R, Kaloush R, Mazrouei NA. The impact of telepharmacy on hypertension management in the United Arab Emirates. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2022; 20:2734. [PMID: 36793920 PMCID: PMC9891772 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2022.4.2734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the effectiveness of telepharmacy services delivered by community pharmacies in hypertension management and examine its influence on pharmacists' ability to identify drug-related problems (DRPs). Methods This was a 2-arm, randomised, clinical trial conducted among 16 community pharmacies and 239 patients with uncontrolled HTN in the U.A.E over a period of 12 months. The first arm (n=119) received telepharmacy services and the second arm (n=120) received traditional pharmaceutical services. Both arms were followed up to 12 months. Pharmacists self-reported the study outcomes, which primarily were the changes in SBP and DBP from baseline to 12-month meeting. Blood pressure readings were taken at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Other outcomes were the mean knowledge, medication adherence and DRP incidence and types. The frequency and nature of pharmacist interventions in both groups were also reported. Results The mean SBP and DBP differences were statistically significant across the study groups at 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up and 3-, 6-, 9-, 12- month follow-up, respectively. In detail, the mean SBP was reduced from 145.9 mm Hg in the intervention group (IG) and 146.7 mm Hg in the control group (CG) to 124.5, 123.2, 123.5, and 124.9 mm Hg at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up in the IG and 135.9, 133.8, 133.7, and 132.4 mm Hg at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up in the CG. The mean DBP was reduced from 84.3 mm Hg in IG and 85.1 mm Hg in CG to 77.6, 76.2, 76.1, and 77.8 mm Hg at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up in the IG and 82.3, 81.5, 81.5, and 81.9 mm Hg at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up in the CG. Medication adherence and knowledge of participants in the IG towards hypertension were significantly improved. The DRP incidence and DRPs per patient identified by pharmacists in the intervention and control groups were 2.1% versus 1.0% (p=0.002) and 0.6 versus 0.3 (p=0.001), respectively. The total numbers of pharmacist interventions in the IG and CG were 331 and 196, respectively. The proportions of pharmacist interventions related to patient education, cessation of drug therapy, adjustment of drug dose, and addition of drug therapy across the IG and CG were 27.5% versus 20.9%, 15.4% versus 18.9%, 14.5% versus 14.8%, and 13.9% versus 9.7%, respectively (all with p<0.05). Conclusion Telepharmacy may have a sustained effect for up to 12 months on blood pressure of patients with hypertension. This intervention also improves pharmacists' ability to identify and prevent drug-related problems in community setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Mohamed Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah. United Arab Emirates. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt.
| | - Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ,
| | - Rana Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah. United Arab Emirates.
| | - Rawan Kaloush
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Nadia Al Mazrouei
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah. United Arab Emirates.
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Opare-Addo MNA, Marfo AFA, Owusu-Daaku FT. Disposal of leftover and expired medicines by community pharmacies and their clients in Ghana. Waste Manag Res 2022; 40:1539-1545. [PMID: 35296196 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221084060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Improper and unsafe disposal of expired and unwanted medicines could cause harm to both people and the environment and therefore it is of public health importance. The objective of the study was to determine the methods employed by community pharmacist and their clients in the disposal of unwanted and expired medicines. Furthermore, the role of the pharmacists in the assessment of clients left over medicines was also explored. A cross sectional study design was employed with a sample of 120 pharmacy staff and 200 clients. Semi structured questionnaires were developed and administered to the two groups. Ethical approval was obtained. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.24). Two hundred and eighty medicines were assessed from 131 respondents (65.5%) who brought their unused or left-over medicines to the pharmacy. These included analgesics 102(36.4%), antibiotics 50 (17.9%) and antacids 22 (7.9%). Disposal of expired and left-over medicines cited by respondents were the general-purpose bin 58(77.0%) and down the sink 11(14.3%). The majority 99(82.9%) of community pharmacies also disposed of solid dosage forms through the general-purpose bin. In addition, 90(75%) community pharmacies disposed of liquid waste in general purpose bin. Lack of enforcement of legislation was cited by community pharmacy staff as a barrier to the proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. The predominant method of disposal of expired/unwanted medicines by community pharmacies and their clients was via the general-purpose bin. Implementation of interventions such as take back programmes that will enhance proper disposal of expired and left over medicines should be initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Frances Thelma Owusu-Daaku
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
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Murteira R, Romano S, Teixeira I, Bulhosa C, Sousa S, Conceição MI, Fonseca-Silva A, Martins H, Teixeira Rodrigues A. Real-World Impact of Transferring the Dispensing of Hospital-Only Medicines to Community Pharmacies During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Value Health 2022; 25:1321-1327. [PMID: 35428552 PMCID: PMC9002297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In Portugal, the dispensing of most outpatient specialty medicines is performed exclusively through hospital pharmacies and totally financed by the National Health Service. During the COVID-19 first wave, the government allowed the transfer of the dispensing of hospital-only medicines (HOMs) to community pharmacies (CPs). This study aimed to measure the value generated by the intervention of CP in the dispensing of HOM. METHODS A single-arm, before-and-after study with 3-month follow-up was conducted enrolling a randomly selected sample of patients or caregivers with at least 1 dispensation of HOM through CP. Data were collected by telephone interview. Main outcomes were patients' self-reported adherence (Measure Treatment Adherence), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D 3-Level), satisfaction with the service, and costs related to HOM access. RESULTS Overall 603 subjects were recruited to participate in the study (males 50.6%) with mean 55 years old (SD = 16). The already high mean adherence score to therapy improved significantly (P < .0001), and no statistically significant change (P > .5757) was found in the mean EQ-5D score between baseline (0.7 ± 0.3) and 3-month follow-up (0.8 ± 0.3). Annual savings account for €262.1/person, arising from travel expenses and absenteeism reduction. Participants reported a significant increase in satisfaction levels in all evaluated domains-pharmacist's availability, opening hours, waiting time, privacy conditions, and overall experience. CONCLUSIONS Changing the dispense setting to CP may promote better access and satisfaction. Moreover, it ensures the persistence of treatments, promotes savings for citizens, and reduces the burden of healthcare services, representing a crucial public health measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Murteira
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sónia Romano
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Teixeira
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Bulhosa
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Sousa
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - António Teixeira Rodrigues
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Research/Infosaúde, National Association of Pharmacies, Lisbon, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Passardi A, Serra P, Donati C, Fiori F, Prati S, Vespignani R, Taglioni G, Farfaneti Ghetti P, Martinelli G, Nanni O, Altini M, Frassineti GL, Minguzzi MV. An Integrated Model to Improve Medication Reconciliation in Oncology: Prospective Interventional Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e31321. [PMID: 34932001 PMCID: PMC8726040 DOI: 10.2196/31321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate medication reconciliation reduces the risk of drug incompatibilities and adverse events that can occur during transitions in care. Community pharmacies (CPs) are a crucial part of the health care system and could be involved in collecting essential information on conventional and supplementary drugs used at home. Objective The aim of this paper was to establish an alliance between our cancer institute, Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST), and CPs, the latter entrusted with the completion of a pharmacological recognition survey. We also aimed to integrate the national information technology (IT) platform of CPs with the electronic medical records of IRST. Methods Cancer patients undergoing antiblastic treatments were invited to select a CP taking part in the study and to complete the pharmacological recognition step. The information collected by the pharmacist was sent to the electronic medical records of IRST through the new IT platform, after which the oncologist performed the reconciliation process. Results A total of 66 CPs completed surveys for 134 patients. An average of 5.9 drugs per patient was used at home, with 12 or more used in the most advanced age groups. Moreover, 60% (80/134) of the patients used nonconventional products or critical foods. Some potential interactions between nonconventional medications and cancer treatments were reported. Conclusions In the PROF-1 (Progetto di Rete in Oncologia con le Farmacie di comunità della Romagna) study, an alliance was created between our cancer center and CPs to improve medication reconciliation, and a new integrated IT platform was validated. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04796142; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04796142
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Passardi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Patrizia Serra
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Caterina Donati
- Oncology Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Federica Fiori
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Sabrina Prati
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Roberto Vespignani
- IT Service, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Oriana Nanni
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Mattia Altini
- Healthcare Administration, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Frassineti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Martina Vittoria Minguzzi
- Healthcare Administration, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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Win ZN, Anantachoti P. Evaluation of drug information from carton boxes, leaflets and pharmacy personnel: situation analysis in Myanmar. Int J Pharm Pract 2021; 30:52-58. [PMID: 34739050 DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed how Myanmar consumers received drug information from the drug products and dispensers of community pharmacies. METHODS Content analysis was used to evaluate drug information attached to 3 drug categories of 30 drug samples, and simulated patient studies at 247 pharmacies of selected townships in Yangon region were performed. Descriptive statistics and independent t-test were used for data analysis. KEY FINDINGS Among 30 proxy drug products, more than 80% provided information in English language both on the carton boxes and on leaflets. About 86.7% of leaflets were intended only for healthcare professional uses and not understandable for lay consumers. The simulated patient study found that overall drug information provided by dispensers was limited as confirmed by information providing mean score of 4.25 ± 2.06 out of a total of 18 points. Many other important information items such as drug name, concomitant drugs use, common side effects and when to stop taking medicine were rarely provided. None of the simulated patients received carton box or leaflet. CONCLUSIONS This study proved that Myanmar consumers did not receive enough drug information from both the products and dispensers, and thus the provision of understandable drug information for patients is required to improve patients' safe use of medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zar Ni Win
- Graduate Program in Social and Adminxistrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Drug Control Section, Department of Food and Drug Administration, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Puree Anantachoti
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kunow C, Langer B. Dispensing and Variabilities in Pricing of Headache OTC Medicines by Community Pharmacies in a German Big City: A Simulated Patient Approach. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res 2021; 13:843-851. [PMID: 34588789 PMCID: PMC8476173 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s320728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Germany, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for self-medication may only be dispensed by community pharmacies (CPs). From the customer's point of view, "adequate" counseling includes not only the recommendation of medicines that meet guidelines, but ao the dispensing of low-priced medicines. This is all the more important in Germany against the background of free pricing and a lack of obligation to display prices. The aim was to analyze the dispensing and possible price variability of OTC medicines for headache. Methods The cross-sectional design of the study based on the simulated patient methodology (SPM) included all 42 CPs of the German big city Potsdam and used eight trained simulated patients (SPs). Between October and December 2020, four different SPs visited each CP four times with two almost identical scenarios with the demand for a medicine for headache. Results All 168 planned visits were successfully completed and ibuprofen (60.1%) was dispensed most frequently. Across all dispensed medicines, prices varied from €0.93 to €9.97 (∆ 972%; median €3.46 [interquartile range (IQR) €2.25]). For repeated dispensing of the same CPs, the price variability was a maximum of €8.77. In addition, packs with ≤10 tablets were dispensed in 47.6%, with 11 to 20 tablets in 50.6%, and with >20 tablets in 1.8% of visits. Conclusion Increasing price transparency and strengthening price competition could make it easier for customers to access OTC medicines according to their personal needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kunow
- Department of Health, Nursing, Management, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Langer
- Department of Health, Nursing, Management, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
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Baratta F, Ciccolella M, Brusa P. The Relationship between Customers and Community Pharmacies during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: A Survey from Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18189582. [PMID: 34574509 PMCID: PMC8470071 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Community pharmacies are among the most easily accessible health services. Considering the major impact of COVID-19 in social terms, the purpose was to analyse the evolution of the relationship between community pharmacies and customers during the pandemic in 2020 and to understand which strategies should be implemented in the future. The data have been collected from May to December 2020. Pharmacists administered a questionnaire, also available online, to all customers that agreed to participate. The total number of respondents was 502. The results obtained confirm a generally high level of satisfaction with pharmacies among customers and appreciation for the role of community pharmacies. For the future, the priority is to monitor the situation to break down social inequalities. A task that can be entrusted to the branch of the healthcare service ideally suited to this end: local medicine, of which the community pharmacy is an essential element. The post-pandemic pharmacy will need to have the skills to provide accurate and reliable information on issues, including broad topics such as prevention and lifestyle to fight “syndemic” (two or more factors that work together to make a disease worse) and “infodemic” (too much information including false or misleading information during a disease outbreak).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baratta
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-670-66-65
| | | | - Paola Brusa
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy;
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Marković-Peković V. Regulation of the apothecary activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the Austro-Hungarian period. Med Glas (Zenica) 2021; 18:343-51. [PMID: 33871220 DOI: 10.17392/1355-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aim To present the regulations governing the operation of pharmacies in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the Austro-Hungarian rule (1878-1918). Methods Qualitative secondary data analysis was used. Results The Austro-Hungarian government had found poor population's health, insufficient health facilities and qualified staff. For a long time, population was treated by old methods of medicine and pharmacy, and directed to folk doctors, healers and herbalists. As early as 1879, orders requesting mandatory possession of a university diploma to practice pharmacy and medicine, thus taking the initial steps to combat quackery. The production and dispensing of medicines became the exclusive competence of pharmacists. The Law on Pharmacies adopted in 1907 comprehensively regulated the apothecary activity. Pharmacy Gremium was founded, the first association of pharmacists with the task of protecting professional interests. All types of quackery were explicitly forbidden to pharmacy staff. Apothecary activity was regulated as a craft, not as a health activity. During this period, pharmacy became a regulated profession with educated and qualified personnel. The number of public pharmacies and qualified staff was growing. In 1878 only one graduated pharmacist was found, while in 1910 in 47 pharmacies there were 79 pharmacy staff. At the end of 1918, the masters of pharmacy were the owners of 48 pharmacies, in 38 cities. Conclusion All enacted regulations contributed to the development and improvement of the apothecary activity over the observed period, and laid the foundations for the future development of the profession.
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Visscher BB, Vervloet M, Te Paske R, van Dijk L, Heerdink ER, Rademakers J. Implementation of an animated medication information tool in community pharmacies, with a special focus on patients with limited health literacy. Int J Pharm Pract 2021; 29:566-572. [PMID: 34427591 DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The animated medication information tool 'Watchyourmeds' provides information in an accessible manner through animated videos and therefore appears to be especially suitable for people with limited health literacy. This study aimed to assess the implementation of this animated medication information tool in Dutch community pharmacies, with a special focus on patients with limited health literacy. METHODS A cross-sectional survey based on the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was sent to approximately 75% of the ±1900 community pharmacies in the Netherlands through email newsletters of pharmacy networks. KEY FINDINGS 140 pharmacists (⁓10%) completed the survey and 125 of them (89%) indicated that they offered the animated medication information tool to their patients. 108 pharmacists indicated that the tool was offered to all patients, not only to patients with limited health literacy. The distribution method was primarily passive (patients were given a leaflet and were not explicitly pointed to or informed about the tool). Two frequently cited motivations for offering the tool were that it complemented other sources of information and that the health insurer provided a financial incentive. The main reasons patients refused to use the tool were that they had no access to or no affinity for the required technology. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the tool is used in community pharmacies and that it is offered to all patients, regardless of their presumed health literacy level. A more active method of offering the tool may be warranted to better reach patients with limited health literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boudewijn B Visscher
- Researchgroup Innovations in Pharmaceutical Care, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marcia Vervloet
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roland Te Paske
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Liset van Dijk
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology, and -Economics (PTEE), Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eibert R Heerdink
- Researchgroup Innovations in Pharmaceutical Care, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jany Rademakers
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Lalagkas PN, Poulentzas G, Tsiolis L, Berberoglou E, Hadjipavlou-Litina D, Douros A, Kontogiorgis C, Constantinides T. Investigating Potential Drug-Drug Interactions from Greek e-Prescription Data. Curr Drug Saf 2021; 17:114-120. [PMID: 34397333 DOI: 10.2174/1574886316666210816115811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) is indicative of the prevalence of actual drug-drug interactions and prescription quality. However, they are significantly understudied in Greece. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of pDDIs among outpatients and identify factors associated with their occurrence. METHODS Anonymous e-prescription data between 2012 and 2017 were obtained from community pharmacies in Thessaloniki, Greece. Patients taking more than one medication for at least three months were included. pDDIs were identified and categorized depending on their clinical significance using Drug Interactions Checker. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of risk factors of pDDIs occurrence were identified using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS During the study period, 6,000 anonymous e-prescriptions (1,000 per year) satisfying the inclusion criteria, were collected. The overall prevalence of major pDDIs was 17.4% (63.0% for moderate pDDIs). The most common major pDDIs were between amlodipine and simvastatin (22.8% of major interactions) followed by clopidogrel and omeprazole (6.4% of major interactions). Polypharmacy (≥5 concomitantly received medications) was associated with an increased risk of major pDDIs (adjusted OR, 5.72; 95% CI, 4.87-6.72); no associations were observed regarding age, sex and number of prescribing physicians. CONCLUSION The prevalence of pDDIs in this study was higher than previously reported in other European countries, with polypharmacy being a potential risk factor. Those results argue for a need for improvement in the area of prescribing in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis-Nikolaos Lalagkas
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgios Poulentzas
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Lampros Tsiolis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Berberoglou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dimitra Hadjipavlou-Litina
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Douros
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christos Kontogiorgis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Theodoros Constantinides
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Atif M, Ahmad M, Malik I, Mushtaq I, Ahmad N, Mehjabin, Babar ZUD. How medicines sales staff is responding to presumptive COVID-19 patients attending drug retail outlets: An exploratory qualitative study. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:2297-2312. [PMID: 34390010 PMCID: PMC8426854 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this qualitative study was to explore how the medicine sales staff responded to presumptive COVID‐19 patients in Pakistan. The data were obtained from the medicine sales staff working at drug retail outlets of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, through in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews using a semi‐structured interview guide. A two‐step sampling strategy was used, including purposive and convenient sampling techniques. Sample size was determined by applying the saturation point criteria. A total of 17 interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic analysis. Analysis of data yielded six themes and seven sub‐themes. The themes included (1) knowledge about various aspects of COVID‐19, (2) practices of sales staff in response to COVID‐19 pandemic, (3) attitude of sales staff towards COVID‐19 pandemic, (4) services offered to presumptive COVID‐19 patients, (5) challenges encountered during pandemic and (6) suggestions to improve delivery of pharmacy services by sales staff. In Pakistan, non‐pharmacist sales staff had superficial knowledge about COVID‐19. Presumptive COVID‐19 patients were provided with only basic pharmacy services. Professional training is advised among pharmacy sales staff as a short‐term solution to improve their knowledge. As a long‐term goal, the availability of pharmacists at drug retail outlets is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Atif
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Iram Malik
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Irem Mushtaq
- Department of Education, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Nafees Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Mehjabin
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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Mellou K, Sideroglou T, Kefaloudi C, Tryfinopoulou K, Chrysostomou A, Mandilara G, Pavlaki M, Maltezou HC. Waterborne outbreak in a rural area in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic: contribution of community pharmacies. Rural Remote Health 2021; 21:6630. [PMID: 34320325 DOI: 10.22605/rrh6630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION On 15 June 2020, the National Public Health Organization was informed about the identification of two cases of Escherichia coli Ο157 infection in a small town in the Peloponnese Region in Greece and we suspected an outbreak. METHODS We asked the local pharmacist to assist us to verify the outbreak by providing the daily number of over-the-counter anti-diarrheal drugs sold from 20 May 2020 onwards. The pharmacist asked customers with gastroenteritis to submit stool samples at the local hospital. Samples were tested for 22 pathogens. We conducted a 1 : 1 case-control study. Cases and controls were retrieved from the pharmacy client list. Chlorination records of the water supply system were retrieved, and water samples were tested for microbiological indicators and viruses. RESULTS The increased number of sales of anti-diarrheal drugs verified the outbreak. Overall, 58 cases and 57 controls were recruited for the study. Tap water consumption (odds ratio (OR)=10.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.1-38.0, p<0.001) and consumption of ice cubes made from tap water (OR=39.3, 95%CI=10.3-150.9, p<0.001) were independently associated with gastroenteritis occurrence. Eleven stool samples were tested; one was positive for shigatoxin-producing E. coli, one for enteropathogenic E. coli, four for E. coli Ο157 and one for Salmonella spp. Four samples tested negative. Five water samples collected on 18 June tested negative. The residual chlorine on 5 and 14 June ranged from 0.12 mg/L to 0.14 mg/L. CONCLUSION This was the first investigation of a waterborne outbreak in Greece performed with the collaboration of a local pharmacy. The COVID-19 pandemic favored the use of alternative resources and channels of communication with the local population, which can also be used in the future, especially in remote areas of the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassiani Mellou
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece
| | - Theologia Sideroglou
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece
| | - Chrysovalanti Kefaloudi
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece; and European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Gustav III Boulevard 40, Solna 16973, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Anthi Chrysostomou
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens 15123, Greece
| | - Georgia Mandilara
- National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella-Shigella, Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Ave, Athens 111521, Greece
| | - Maria Pavlaki
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Health Care Unit of Argos, General Hospital of Argolida, 191 Korinthou Ave, 21200 Argos, Argolida, Greece
| | - Helena C Maltezou
- Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, 3-5 Agrafon St, Athens 15123, Greece
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Kunow C, Bello MA, Diedrich L, Eutin L, Sonnenberg Y, Wachtel N, Langer B. A Nationwide Mystery Caller Evaluation of Oral Emergency Contraception Practices from German Community Pharmacies: An Observational Study Protocol. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:945. [PMID: 34442082 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9080945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To prevent unwanted pregnancies, oral emergency contraception (EC) with the active ingredients levonorgestrel (LNG) and ulipristal acetate (UPA) is recommended by the guidelines of the German Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (BAK). In this respect, community pharmacies (CPs) in Germany have a major responsibility for information gathering, selecting the appropriate medicine, availability and pricing, among other things. Therefore, it would be appropriate to conduct a study with the aim of investigating information gathering, a possible recommendation as well as availability and pricing for oral EC in German CPs. A representative nationwide observational study based on the simulated patient methodology (SPM) in the form of covert mystery calls will be conducted in a random sample of German CPs stratified according to the 16 federal states. Each selected CP will be randomly called once successfully by one of six both female and male trained mystery callers (MCs). The MCs will simulate a product-based scenario using the request for oral EC. For quality assurance of the data collection, a second observer accompanying the MC is planned. After all mystery calls have been made, each CP will receive written, pharmacy-specific performance feedback. The only national SPM study on oral EC to date has identified deficits in the provision of self-medication consultations with the help of visits in the CPs studied. International studies suggest that UPA in particular is not always available. Significant price differences could be found analogous to another German study for a different indication.
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Jambrina AM, Rius P, Gascón P, Armelles M, Camps-Bossacoma M, Franch À, Rabanal M. Characterization of the Use of Emergency Contraception from Sentinel Pharmacies in a Region of Southern Europe. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132793. [PMID: 34201980 PMCID: PMC8269101 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have been published suggesting that emergency contraception (EC) is used repeatedly, but a lack of information regarding the profile of users makes it difficult to evaluate actual consumer habits. The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the profile of users who obtain EC and other factors that might play a role, and to provide criteria to evaluate and improve the strategies of current contraceptive programs. This was an observational one-year study based on surveillance data on the provision of EC to women of reproductive age in 60 community pharmacies in Catalonia, Spain. In total, 941 notifications of dispensation of EC in Catalonia were received. A total of 44.2% of users said it was not the first time that they had taken the medication (repeat user). The percentage of users who used condoms was lower in repeat users compared to first-time users (56.7% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.05). A total of 25.7% of users stated that they did not use any barrier contraceptive method. The use of natural methods in repeat users was 53.8% in the subgroup who requested the medication after 48 h, significantly higher than in users who obtained the medication within the first 24 h (p < 0.05). A high percentage of repeat users with risky sexual behaviors were detected, suggesting that new measures must be implemented to provide information for this method, together with educational and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Jambrina
- Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.J.); (M.A.)
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.-B.); (À.F.)
| | - Pilar Rius
- Council of the Pharmacist’s Association of Catalonia, 08009 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Pilar Gascón
- Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Mercè Armelles
- Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.J.); (M.A.)
| | - Mariona Camps-Bossacoma
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.-B.); (À.F.)
| | - Àngels Franch
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.-B.); (À.F.)
| | - Manel Rabanal
- Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.J.); (M.A.)
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.-B.); (À.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Breen RJ, Frandsen M, Ferguson SG. Incentives for smoking cessation in a rural pharmacy setting: The Tobacco Free Communities program. Aust J Rural Health 2021; 29:455-463. [PMID: 34148279 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate the smoking-related outcomes and feasibility of a pharmacy-led financial incentive program for smoking cessation. DESIGN Multi-site single-arm trial of the Tobacco Free Communities program. SETTING Community pharmacies within the Glamorgan Spring Bay (Site 1) and George Town (Site 2) municipalities of Tasmania. PARTICIPANTS Adult smokers. Based on funding, the recruitment target was 76 smokers. INTERVENTIONS Pharmacy staff provided quitting advice through 7 sessions over 3 months. At 6 sessions, abstinent participants (no cigarettes in the previous week and expired carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm) were rewarded with AU$50 vouchers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Smoking-related outcomes were decreased smoking (self-reported cigarettes per day and carbon monoxide levels) and abstinence rates. Feasibility outcomes were meeting the recruitment target, participant retention and participants' views of the program (measured by interview data from Site 2). RESULTS Ninety individuals enrolled. Sixty-two participants were included in analyses; remaining participants were excluded from analyses because they did not consent to use of their data within this study or had carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm at enrolment. Smoking (carbon monoxide and cigarettes per day) significantly decreased between enrolment and the first financial incentive session. Twelve participants (19.35%) were abstinent at the end of the program. Yet retention was poor; only 13 participants (20.97%) attended all sessions. Interviews suggested participants found the program beneficial. CONCLUSIONS Providing financial incentive within rural community pharmacies could be a viable method of encouraging smoking reductions and quit attempts. Additional work is needed to increase retention and compare effects to usual care pharmacy practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Breen
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Mai Frandsen
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Stuart G Ferguson
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
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Majid Aziz M, Haider F, Rasool MF, Hashmi FK, Bahsir S, Li P, Zhao M, Alshammary TM, Fang Y. Dispensing of Non-Prescribed Antibiotics from Community Pharmacies of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Pharmacy Staff's Opinion. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:482. [PMID: 33922058 PMCID: PMC8143445 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10050482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Community pharmacies are the main channel of antibiotics distribution. We aimed to analyze the dispensing of non-prescribed antibiotics and knowledge of pharmacy staff. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Punjab, Pakistan between December 2017 and March 2018. A self-administered, structured, pretested, and validated bilingual questionnaire was used, and we used chi-square tests in the statistical analysis. A total of 573 (91.7%) pharmacy retailers responded to the survey; 44.0% were aged 31-40 years and all were men. Approximately 81.5% of participants declared that dispensing non-prescribed antibiotics is a common practice in community pharmacies, and 51.1% considered themselves to be authorized to dispense these drugs; 69.3% believed this a contributing factor to antimicrobial resistance. Most (79.1%) respondents believed that this practice promotes irrational antibiotics use, and half (52.2%) considered antimicrobial resistance to be a public health issue. Only 34.5% of respondents reported recommending that patients consult with a doctor prior to using antibiotics, and 61.8% perceived that their dispensing practices reduce patients' economic burden. Approximately 44.9% of pharmacy retailers stated that they have proper knowledge about antibiotics use. Nitroimidazole was the main class of antibiotic dispensed without a prescription. Dispensing of injectable and broad-spectrum antibiotics can be potential threat for infection cure. Poor knowledge of staff is associated with dispensing of non-prescribed antibiotics. This inappropriate practice must be addressed immediately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Majid Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (M.M.A.); (P.L.); (M.Z.)
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xian, Xi’an 710049, China
- Shaanxi Center for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Fatima Haider
- Ghazi Medical College, Jampur Rd, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab 32200, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Fawad Rasool
- Departmentof Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Punjab 60800, Pakistan;
| | | | - Sadia Bahsir
- Department of Pathology, Quaid e Azam Medical College, Punjab 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Pengchao Li
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (M.M.A.); (P.L.); (M.Z.)
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xian, Xi’an 710049, China
- Shaanxi Center for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Mingyue Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (M.M.A.); (P.L.); (M.Z.)
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xian, Xi’an 710049, China
- Shaanxi Center for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an 710061, China
| | | | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (M.M.A.); (P.L.); (M.Z.)
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xian, Xi’an 710049, China
- Shaanxi Center for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an 710061, China
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Malik UR, Chang J, Hashmi F, Atif N, Basir H, Hayat K, Khan FU, Kabba JA, Lambojon K, Fang Y. A Simulated Client Exploration of Nonprescription Dispensing of Antibiotics at Drugstores for Pediatric Acute Diarrhea and Upper Respiratory Infection in Lahore, Pakistan. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:1129-1140. [PMID: 33790584 PMCID: PMC7997541 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s301812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The excessive consumption of antibiotics is a significant contributor to antimicrobial resistance, especially in children. Children are often advised antibiotics for viral infections. In developing countries, drugstores are a prime source of easy access to nonprescription antibiotics. Moreover, in Pakistan, their irrational use is an "everyday routine". The study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the dispensing of nonprescription antibiotics to children. METHODS Using pediatric acute diarrhea and acute upper respiratory infection as disease scenarios, a simulated client, cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, to explore the antibiotics' ease of availability at both categories of drugstores (pharmacies and medical stores) from November 1st, 2019 to January 31st, 2020. Chi-square (χ 2) test was used to compare the differences in practices of different categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze the association of various factors with antibiotics dispensing. RESULTS Antibiotics were dispensed without prescription in 456 (59%) of 773 simulated visits out of which 425 (93.2%) were dispensed on the advice of the drugstore staff. A qualified pharmacist was available in only 164 (21.2%) cases. Of the 386 visits for acute diarrhea and 387 for acute upper respiratory infection, nonprescription antibiotic dispensing occurred in 259 (67.1%) and 197 (50.9%) visits, respectively. There were considerable differences (p-value <0.05) in the practices and antibiotics dispensing between each disease scenario presented. Moreover, antibiotics were less commonly dispensed at pharmacist-supervised drugstores compared to unsupervised ones. CONCLUSION Overall, inappropriate dispensing practices were prevalent to a large extent at the drugstores, and antibiotics were effortlessly obtainable without prescription. The quality of the services provided, especially by the non-pharmacist staff, was also not satisfactory. Therefore, the Drug Regulating Authority of Pakistan must enforce strict implementation of drug laws at the drugstores without delay, especially in major cities to help curb the felonious use of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Rashid Malik
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Furqan Hashmi
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Naveel Atif
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hareem Basir
- Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, WN1 2NN, UK
| | - Khezar Hayat
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Faiz Ullah Khan
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - John Alimamy Kabba
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Krizzia Lambojon
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technology Innovation Harbour, Xi’an, 710000, People’s Republic of China
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Abstract
CONTEXT The acquisition of antibiotic without a prescription by the general population is a typical practice found in community pharmacies across India, which is a notable contributor of antimicrobial resistance. According to the present regulation in India, sale of certain antimicrobials included in schedule H1 without prescription is unlawful. In this contest, a program was organized by the Drug Control Administration, Government of Andhra Pradesh, to educate pharmacists regarding schedule H1. AIMS The aim of our study is to assess the impact of the program on the rate of antibiotics dispensed at community pharmacies. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the nonprescription sale of antibiotics, from September to December 2018 through 200 community pharmacies located in and around Guntur city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A simulated client methodology was used in this study. A total of 3 female actors including an author of this present study are prior trained to present a standardized simulation of clinical conditions (sore throat, urinary tract infection, cold, and fever) to the pharmacist at the community pharmacies. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Microsoft excel sheet was used for data analysis. RESULTS The simulated patients successfully obtained antibiotic from 78% pharmacies with the highest rate of urinary tract infection when compared to other conditions. Pharmacists who objected to dispense antibiotics (22%) are found in developed locations in the city and appeared well qualified. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed that the antibiotics are continued to be sold without prescription even after the education program on schedule H1. The deregulation of the act is definitely the problem to be addressed by the government.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineela Chadalavada
- Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Manohar Babu
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Southern Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - K Balamurugan
- Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
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Baratta F, Visentin GM, Ravetto Enri L, Parente M, Pignata I, Venuti F, Di Perri G, Brusa P. Community Pharmacy Practice in Italy during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Regulatory Changes and a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Seroprevalence. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18052302. [PMID: 33652711 PMCID: PMC7967686 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacists in the community and the essential requirement to safeguard their own health have become fundamental since the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aims of this paper were (I) to analyze the directives provided to pharmacists in 2020 regarding preventative safety measures to be adopted; (II) to determine the number of pharmacists who came into contact with SARS-CoV-2 in North-West Italy and relate this to the adopted preventative measures. The first aim was pursued by conducting a bibliographic research, consulting the principal regulatory sources. The second one was achieved with an observational study by administering a questionnaire and performing a serological test. The various protection measures imposed by national and regional legislation were analyzed. Two hundred and eighty-six pharmacists (about 8% of the invited ones) responded to the survey. Ten pharmacists reported a positive result to the serological test. Of the subjects who presented a positive result, three declared that they had not used a hand sanitizer, while two stated that they had not scheduled the cleaning and decontamination of surfaces. Two interviewees had not set up a system of quota restrictions on admissions. In four cases, a certified cleaning company had decontaminated the premises. The results of our study show that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the most pressing challenge for community pharmacists has been the protection of staff and clients inside the pharmacy; the challenge to be faced in the near future will probably be the management of new responsibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baratta
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.M.V.); (L.R.E.); (I.P.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-670-66-65
| | - Giulio Mario Visentin
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.M.V.); (L.R.E.); (I.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Lorenzo Ravetto Enri
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.M.V.); (L.R.E.); (I.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Marco Parente
- Turin Pharmacy Owners Association “Federfarma”, Via Sant’Anselmo14, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Irene Pignata
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.M.V.); (L.R.E.); (I.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Francesco Venuti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, C.so Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (F.V.); (G.D.P.)
| | - Giovanni Di Perri
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, C.so Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (F.V.); (G.D.P.)
| | - Paola Brusa
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.M.V.); (L.R.E.); (I.P.); (P.B.)
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Berger FA, van der Sijs H, van Gelder T, van den Bemt PMLA. The use of a clinical decision support tool to assess the risk of QT drug-drug interactions in community pharmacies. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2021; 12:2042098621996098. [PMID: 33708374 PMCID: PMC7907715 DOI: 10.1177/2042098621996098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The handling of drug–drug interactions regarding QTc-prolongation (QT-DDIs) is not well defined. A clinical decision support (CDS) tool will support risk management of QT-DDIs. Therefore, we studied the effect of a CDS tool on the proportion of QT-DDIs for which an intervention was considered by pharmacists. Methods: An intervention study was performed using a pre- and post-design in 20 community pharmacies in The Netherlands. All QT-DDIs that occurred during a before- and after-period of three months were included. The impact of the use of a CDS tool to support the handling of QT-DDIs was studied. For each QT-DDI, handling of the QT-DDI and patient characteristics were extracted from the pharmacy information system. Primary outcome was the proportion of QT-DDIs with an intervention. Secondary outcomes were the type of interventions and the time associated with handling QT-DDIs. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the primary outcome. Results: Two hundred and forty-four QT-DDIs pre-CDS tool and 157 QT-DDIs post-CDS tool were included. Pharmacists intervened in 43.0% and 35.7% of the QT-DDIs pre- and post-CDS tool respectively (odds ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.49–1.11). Substitution of interacting agents was the most frequent intervention. Pharmacists spent 20.8 ± 3.5 min (mean ± SD) on handling QT-DDIs pre-CDS tool, which was reduced to 14.9 ± 2.4 min (mean ± SD) post-CDS tool. Of these, 4.5 ± 0.7 min (mean ± SD) were spent on the CDS tool. Conclusion: The CDS tool might be a first step to developing a tool to manage QT-DDIs via a structured approach. Improvement of the tool is needed in order to increase its diagnostic value and reduce redundant QT-DDI alerts. Plain Language Summary The use of a tool to support the handling of QTc-prolonging drug interactions in community pharmacies Introduction: Several drugs have the ability to cause heart rhythm disturbances as a rare side effect. This rhythm disturbance is called QTc-interval prolongation. It may result in cardiac arrest. For health care professionals, such as physicians and pharmacists, it is difficult to decide whether or not it is safe to proceed treating a patient with combinations of two or more of these QT-prolonging drugs. Recently, a tool was developed that supports the risk management of these QT drug–drug interactions (QT-DDIs). Methods: In this study, we studied the effect of this tool on the proportion of QT-DDIs for which an intervention was considered by pharmacists. An intervention study was performed using a pre- and post-design in 20 community pharmacies in The Netherlands. All QT-DDIs that occurred during a before- and after-period of 3 months were included. Results: Two hundred and forty-four QT-DDIs pre-implementation of the tool and 157 QT-DDIs post-implementation of the tool were included. Pharmacists intervened in 43.0% of the QT-DDIs before the tool was implemented and in 35.7% after implementation of the tool. Substitution of one of the interacting agents was the most frequent intervention. Pharmacists spent less time on handling QT-DDIs when the tool was used. Conclusion: The clinical decision support tool might be a first step to developing a tool to manage QT-DDIs via a structured approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florine A Berger
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen van der Sijs
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teun van Gelder
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Acharya Y, Nepal P, Yang D, Karki K, Bajracharya D, Prentis T, Davis SL, Kaljee L. Economic and social drivers of antibiotic dispensing practices among community pharmacies in Nepal. Trop Med Int Health 2021; 26:557-571. [PMID: 33524230 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess economic and social drivers of dispensing antibiotics without prescription by community pharmacies in Nepal. METHOD A survey was conducted among 111 pharmacy owners and managers in five districts. Information on demographic and economic characteristics of the pharmacies (e.g. revenue and profits from antibiotics) and their inclination to sell antibiotics without a physician's prescription under various scenarios (e.g. diarrhoea in a child) was collected. Univariate analysis was conducted to assess the demographic and economic characteristics. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between dispensing antibiotics without prescription and economic and social factors. RESULTS Azithromycin and amoxicillin were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics. The proportions of pharmacies reporting that they would 'most likely' or 'likely' dispense antibiotics without prescription to adult patients ranged from 36.9% (sore throat) to 67.6% (cough). The proportions for paediatric patients ranged from 62.2% (sore throat) to 80.2% (cough or diarrhoea). There was no consistent relationship between the likelihood of dispensing antibiotics and revenues, profits or the number of patients. Instead, dispensing behaviour was influenced by the pressure from the patient; the respondents were more likely to dispense antibiotics when the patient specifically asked for 'an antibiotic' rather than for 'a medicine', and 68.5% respondents ranked 'customer satisfaction' as the most important factor motivating their work. CONCLUSIONS In Nepal, inappropriate sale of antibiotics by community pharmacists is high, particularly for paediatric patients. Additional research is needed to establish key drivers of this behaviour and to help design effective approaches to reducing AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubraj Acharya
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Prajwol Nepal
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Di Yang
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Tyler Prentis
- Global Health Initiative, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Susan L Davis
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Linda Kaljee
- Global Health Initiative, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
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Seiberth JM, Moritz K, Vogel CF, Bertsche T, Schiek S. Public's perspectives on guideline-recommended self-medication consultations in German community pharmacies. Health Soc Care Community 2021; 29:194-205. [PMID: 32681607 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the public's opinions and expectations of self-medication consultations in German community pharmacies with special emphasis on the acceptance of guideline-recommended consultation. In a cross-sectional study in the city centre of Leipzig, Germany, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey administered via an interview with passers-by from June to September 2018. The structured questionnaire contained questions assessing (I) previous experience with self-medication consultations, (II) possible reasons for declining self-medication consultations, (III) the attitude towards information gathering and (IV) expectations of self-medication consultations. (I) 92% of the 963 respondents stated they were generally satisfied with self-medication consultations in community pharmacies. Around one-fifth of all respondents claimed that they would like to be asked more health-related questions (22%) and receive more information on non-prescription drugs (20%). (II) Privacy issues (39%) and reluctance to talk about some medical conditions (43%) were the most frequent reasons for declining self-medication consultation. (III) Respondents understood the need for answering guideline-recommended questions (85-96%) and did not mind being asked these questions (70-96%). (IV) Most of the respondents expected to be counselled even if they did not ask for it directly (69%). Pharmacies were further expected to recommend the best drug, even if it was not what the customer initially intended to buy (87%). However, more than half of the respondents would consider counselling as unimportant if they knew exactly which medication they wanted to buy (56%) or if they had used the non-prescription drug before (70%). The majority also expected to receive guideline-recommended drug information (each item at least 52%). Thus, our study shows that respondents were mostly in line with the required standards of self-medication counselling guidelines. Customers expect high-quality counselling on self-medication. These findings support pharmaceutical staff's understanding of customers' barriers and expectations during self-medication consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Mina Seiberth
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital of Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Moritz
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital of Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carl Friedrich Vogel
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital of Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thilo Bertsche
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital of Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiek
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital of Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Langer B, Grimm S, Lungfiel G, Mandlmeier F, Wenig V. The Quality of Counselling for Oral Emergency Contraceptive Pills-A Simulated Patient Study in German Community Pharmacies. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17186720. [PMID: 32942744 PMCID: PMC7559115 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: In Germany, there are two different active substances, levonorgestrel (LNG) and ulipristal acetate (UPA), available as emergency contraception (the “morning after pill”) with UPA still effective even 72 to 120 h after unprotected sexual intercourse, unlike LNG. Emergency contraceptive pills have been available without a medical prescription since March 2015 but are still only dispensed by community pharmacies. The aim of this study was to determine the counselling and dispensing behaviour of pharmacy staff and the factors that may influence this behaviour in a scenario that intends that only the emergency contraceptive pill containing the active substance UPA is dispensed (appropriate outcome). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the form of a covert simulated patient study in a random sample of community pharmacies stratified by location in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and reported in accordance with the STROBE statement. Each pharmacy was visited once at random by one of four trained test buyers. They simulated a product-based request for an emergency contraceptive pill, stating contraceptive failure 3.5 days prior as the reason. The test scenario and the evaluation forms are based on the recommended actions, including the checklist from the Federal Chamber of Pharmacies. Results: All 199 planned pharmacy visits were carried out. The appropriate outcome (dispensing of UPA) was achieved in 78.9% of the test purchases (157/199). A significant correlation was identified between the use of the counselling room and the use of a checklist (p < 0.001). The use of a checklist led to a significantly higher questioning score (p < 0.001). In a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, a higher questioning score (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.22–1.63; p < 0.001) and a time between 12:01 and 4:00 p.m. (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.13–5.73; p = 0.024) compared to 8:00 to 12:00 a.m. were significantly associated with achieving the appropriate outcome. Conclusions: In a little over one-fifth of all test purchases, the required dispensing of UPA did not occur. The use of a counselling room and a checklist, the use of a checklist and the questioning score as well as the questioning score and achieving the appropriate outcome are all significantly correlated. A target regulation for the use of a counselling room, an explicit guideline recommendation about the use of a checklist, an obligation for keeping UPA in stock and appropriate mandatory continuing education programmes should be considered.
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