scholarly journals The Practice of OTC Dispensing by Community Pharmacist in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-52
Author(s):  
Sangita Shakya ◽  
Susmita Sedai ◽  
Ronas Shakya
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Medical Practitioner ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Minor Illness ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Otc Medicines

Over the counter (OTC) medications are the group of drugs that can be sold without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner to the consumers.  Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals to the patient for the treatment of their minor illness. To provide appropriate advice to the patient at the time of dispensing and over-the-counter (OTC) medication counselling, community pharmacists need access to current and reliable information about medicines. A descriptive study was conducted on fifty pharmacists present in the community pharmacy of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts. Predesigned validated questionnaire consisting of 16 questions were taken for the collection of data. Qualification of pharmacists, numbers of consumer asking for OTC medication in a week, most commonly dispensed OTC medicines by pharmacists, common symptoms told by consumers and average working hour of community pharmacists were recorded. The approval from the concerned authorities was taken. The study was a community based descriptive study done for 3 months. The data of the study was analyzed by using SPSS version 18. Out of 50 Pharmacists, 27 were males and 23 were females. Most of the study populations were qualified as assistant pharmacy. 82% of Community Pharmacy encountered more than ten consumers in a week. Analgesics and antipyretics, drugs for gastritis, antiprotozoals and antihistamines were the most commonly dispensed drugs by the pharmacies. The most common symptoms enquired by patients/consumers were fever (92%), common cold (90%) and headache (86%) as reported by pharmacists respectively. Average working hours of community pharmacists were 67 hours per week. Few pharmacists knew the meaning of terms related to evidence-based health. Most respondents agreed that pharmacists have the necessary training to prescribe. There is increasing use of OTC medicines in Nepal. The study on community pharmacy practices regarding over the counter medicines can assist in evaluating pattern of use of OTC medicines by consumers thus help to reduce abuse and misuse of such medicines.

Investigation Of Over The Counter (Otc ) Pharmaceutical Brands Prefered By New Age Indian Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Dr.G. Madhumita ◽  
Dr.G. Rajini ◽  
Dr.B. Subisha
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Company ◽  
Medical Practitioner ◽  
New Age ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Brand Preference ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Indian Women ◽  
Prescription Medicines ◽  
Otc Medicines

The study investigates the preference of OTC Medicines among the pharmaceutical brand.OTC Medicines means medicines lawfully permitted to sell  “Over the Counter”, i.e. devoid of the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. In India, although the expression has no lawful acknowledgment, all the medicines that are not incorporated in the list of ‘prescription only medicines’ are measured as non-prescription medicines (or OTC Medicines).Pharmaceutical over the counter products (OTC) be the medicines which can be sold without prescription. Also termed as “Non Prescription Medicines” discussed by Arti(2010).This article talks about top pharmaceutical company brands Aventis Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Surya Pharma, Torrent Pharma,Glenmark,Divis Labs,Biocon, Orchid Chemical, Abbott Indi, Sterling Bio, Alembic Pharma etc, the brand preference of New Age Indian Women. A 736 questionnaire was composed of different age and different New Age Indian Women in around Urban :Chennai ;Semi Urban :Neyveli ; Rural :Soolurpet ;Tirupur. The findings of the study shows that the highest preferred generic brand is balms,  Medicines chosen  for fever is Crocin, Idoex  is most ideal pain blams, volini spray is also most preferred brand, ENO is ideal Antacid brand, Sadiron is another chosen brand for cough and cold, the other brands are Metfal SPS, Johnson, Revital are the other favored brands. The study will be a great instrument for the pharmaceutical companies brands to understand today’s New Age Indian Women.

scholarly journals A GLOBAL PICTURE OF EXTENDED PHARMACY SERVICES, PERCEPTIONS, AND BARRIERS TOWARD ITS PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazri Nordin ◽  
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali, ◽  
Azmi Sarriff
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Database Searching ◽  
Medication Counseling ◽  
Community Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Perceptions

  Objective: The aims of this review were to observe extended services performed in the community pharmacy settings, perceptions among community pharmacists (CPs), general practitioners (GPs), and customers of these extended services and barriers toward its performance.Methods: A literature search was conducted, using Google Scholar as database, searching for full access texts. The inclusive texts fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Results: A total of 22 texts had been systematically reviewed, noting a wide range of extended services performed in community pharmacy settings. Medication counseling or review and promoting health educations were noted as the most extended services performed. It is also noted that CPs indicated that these extended services could establish working relationship with other health-care professionals. However, it is noted that among the barriers toward extended services were lack of knowledge, skills, and time to perform.Conclusion: As a conclusion, the community pharmacy practice is evolving, transforming into more patient-oriented even though there are some negative perceptions among the customers and GPs toward these extended services. Barriers to the performance of these extended services should be intervened.  

scholarly journals STARZ-DRP AS A TRIAGING TOOL FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS: PERSPECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazri Nordin ◽  
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali ◽  
Azmi Sarriff
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Medical Practitioner ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Triage Decision ◽  
The Face ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
Systematic Framework

Objective:  To investigate perspectives and expectations of stakeholders of community pharmacists’ (CPs) roles and the use of STARZ-DRP as a structured and systematic framework to help CPs to extend their role to make an accurate triage decision in community pharmacy settings.Methods: Individuals who were in high positions in the Ministry of Health (MOH), pharmacy, medical and consumer associations and individuals who were a private medical practitioner and retail pharmacist were invited via mail to participate in the face to face interview. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim to identify themes as many as possible.Results: Eight stakeholders had responded to the invitation. Mean (± standard deviation) age (years) of stakeholders was 56.50 ± 11.82. Five themes were noted which were: (i) CPs are focusing more on business-oriented, (ii) CPs should perform patient-oriented services, (iii) responsibilities to triage customers, (iv) a systematic approach for triaging activities, (v) STARZ-DRP as a systematic approach to making triage decision.Conclusion: CPs are paying particular attention on business-oriented than patient-oriented services. All stakeholders point out that CPs should intensify their current practice and all of them have the same opinion that CPs should take the responsibilities to make an accurate triage decision for self-care customers. Almost all stakeholders agree that STARZ-DRP is an ideal framework to help CPs to make an accurate triage decision in community pharmacy settings. 

scholarly journals Exploring Accessibility of Community Pharmacy Services

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Kelling
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Accessibility Of Health Services ◽  
System Access

Objective: To use selected literature to describe strengths and opportunities for improvement related to accessibility of health services in the community pharmacy setting. Summary: Pharmacists have been described as one of the most accessible health care professionals, particularly as nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a community pharmacy. However, geography alone does not provide access to health services. Individuals must be able to gain entry into the health care system, access a health care location where needed services are provided, and find a health care provider with whom the patient can communicate and trust. Current and potential opportunities for community pharmacists to increase access via each step are described. Conclusion: Community pharmacists are highly accessible health care professionals who are trusted by patients. Opportunities exist to further increase access to dispensing and non-dispensing services in order to better meet the needs of the public.   Type: Commentary

scholarly journals Prevalence of self medication practice among students of a medical college

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-24
Author(s):  
Baishakhi Islam ◽  
Md Aslam Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Runny Nose ◽  
Minor Illness ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The World

Background: The unsolicited practice for self medication is commonly seen all over the world. In our country it is also commonly practiced even by health care professionals. Objectives: This study is done to focus on the prevalence and other associated factors in various aspects of self medication among medical students. Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted within 4th year students among 113 participants by using a researcher made questionnaire in Gazi Medical College, Khulna from January 2019 to June 2019. Data analysis was done by using Microsoft excel. Results: The prevalence of self medication was reported at 88.49%. The most important reasons for self medication was previous experiences with the illness (48%), minor illness (30%), and time saving (25%). The greatest number of students used self medication to treat headache (30%), gastric acidity (28%), fever (22%), and runny nose (14%). The data reveals that the highest proportion (38%) of students learned medications from old prescription of doctor provided to cure their past illness. The respondents used different group of drugs where greatest number (32%) used analgesics followed by anti ulcerants (28%), antipyretics (25%), and antibiotics (22%). Conclusion: Due to high prevalence of self medication, it is necessary to implement strict rules and regulations to prevent this practice and provide adequate facilities to access medical services properly. Bang Med J (Khulna) 2019; 52 : 21-24

scholarly journals Antibiotics’ Use in Thailand: Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Budh Siltrakool ◽  
Ilhem Berrou ◽  
David Griffiths ◽  
Saleh Alghamdi
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Thailand spends $203 million on antibiotics every year, and patients can still access antimicrobials over the counter without a prescription. Community pharmacy plays a pivotal role in improving access and ensuring the appropriate use of antimicrobials. However, little is known about current practices in this setting. This study aims to assess Thai community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding antimicrobials’ use and resistance. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bangkok and Chonburi province in 2017 using an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 372 community pharmacists (71.4% response rate). The most commonly encountered infections in the community were upper and lower respiratory tract infections. The most commonly dispensed antimicrobials were broad-spectrum antibiotics including aminopenicillins and fluoroquinolones. Thai pharmacists have a good knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding antimicrobials’ use and resistance. They dispense anti-microbials in line with local guidelines, although international guidelines may not indicate anti-biotics for viral self-limiting infections. While community pharmacy in Thailand could be the most accessible healthcare resource for patients, inappropriate provision of antimicrobials for self-limiting viral infections by pharmacists will increase antimicrobial resistance. This highlights the need for updated guidance and improved pharmacists’ training.

scholarly journals Management of common minor ailments in Qatar: Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency and its predictors

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256156
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohamed Makhlouf ◽  
Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim ◽  
Ahmed Awaisu ◽  
Saseendran Kattezhathu Vyas ◽  
Kazeem Babatunde Yusuff
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Bivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Otc Medicines ◽  
Specific Competency ◽  
Age Range

Studies focused on comprehensive assessment of self-perceived competency of community pharmacists to manage minor ailments are scanty despite that self-perceived competency is a valid determinant of task performance. The objectives of the study were to assess community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency to manage fourteen common minor ailments in Qatar, and identify its significant predictors. A cross-sectional assessment of 307 community pharmacists was conducted with a pre-tested 20-item questionnaire. Self-perceived competency was assessed with nine elements on a scale of 1–10 (Maximum obtainable score: Each minor ailment = 90; each element = 140). Mann-Whitney U and bivariate logistic regression were used for data analyses. The response rate was 91.9% (282/307). The majority of the respondents were males (68.1%; 192/282), within the age range of 31–40 years (55.3%; 156/282). The minor ailments with the highest median competency score were constipation (76), and cold/catarrh (75) while travel sickness (69), and ringworm (69) had the lowest. The two condition-specific competency elements with the highest median score were recommendation of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (115), and provision of instructions to guide its use (115). Ability to differentiate minor ailments from other medical conditions had the lowest median competency score (109). The significant predictors self-perceived competency were female gender (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.34–4.25, p = 0.003), and working for chain pharmacies (OR = 2.54, 95%CI: 1.30–4.96, p = 0.006). Overall, Community pharmacists’ self-perceived competency was adequate for majority of the common minor ailments, and it was highest for constipation and cold/catarrh, and specifically for the recommendation of OTC medicines and provision of instructions to guide its use. However, diagnostic ability to differentiate minor ailments from other medical conditions with similar features had the lowest median competency score. Female gender and working in chain pharmacies were the significant predictors of self-perceived competency to manage minor ailments.

scholarly journals Medication safety problems priorities in community pharmacy in Saudi Arabia: a multi-stakeholder Delphi study using the human factors framework

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e032419
Author(s):  
Lobna Abdullah Al Juffali ◽  
Peter Knapp ◽  
Sinaa Al-Aqeel ◽  
Margaret C Watson
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Medication Safety ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Response Scale ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

AimTo achieve multi-stakeholder consensus and prioritisation of medication safety problems in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia.Design and interventionA theoretically-underpinned, three-round Delphi study.SettingSaudi Arabia.ParticipantsPatients and public (pharmacy users), pharmacy-related professionals (policymakers, academics, medication safety officers and pharmacy owners) and community pharmacists.MethodsRound 1 comprised 84 statements derived from a qualitative study. The items were grouped according to the Human Factors Framework (HFF). Rounds 1 and 2 aimed to achieve consensus, 6-point Likert response scale (agreement/disagreement) was used. Round 3 aimed to prioritise the items for which consensus was achieved in Rounds 1 and 2 indicated on a 5-point scale (very important to unimportant). Consensus was predefined as any item that achieved ≥70%.ResultsThe number of respondents in Rounds 1, 2 and 3 was 161, 120 and 112, respectively. In all three rounds, the majority of respondents were pharmacy users (Round 1 77% (n=124), Round 2 74% (n=89), Round 3 72% (n=81)). Consensus was achieved with 28/84 items. The top five medication safety priorities were: lack of pharmacy facilities such as counselling area, lack of communication between pharmacists and physicians, lack of patient databases, lack of post-registration pharmacist education and pharmacists’ long working hours. The professional and pharmacy user groups achieved consensus on similar items through different categories of the HFFs. Community pharmacists had the highest percentage of consensus among the three groups for factors related to work, such as high workload and low salaries.ConclusionThis multi-stakeholder study used the HFF to identify and prioritise the main medication safety challenges facing community pharmacy in Saudi Arabia. It indicates the need for changes to practice and policy and further research to address these priorities and promote medication safety at an individual, pharmacy and population level.

scholarly journals Cancer Awareness Among Community Pharmacists: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 56s-56s
Author(s):  
K.B. Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Cancer Awareness ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Counter Medication

Background: The WHO recognizes that community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals to the general public. Most patients regularly visit community pharmacies for health information and also seek advice from pharmacists with respect to signs and symptoms of cancer. As readily accessible health care professionals, community pharmacists are also in the best position to include cancer-screening initiatives into their practice. Pharmacists are therefore in a good position to raise awareness when they counsel people who buy over-the-counter medication for the control of possible cancer-related symptoms. Aim: The aim of this review was to critically appraise evidence gathered from studies that; (1) explore or assess knowledge of community pharmacist on signs and symptoms of cancer, (2) explore or assess knowledge of community pharmacist on cancer screening. Methods: Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost) and MEDLINE (EBSCOhost) were systematically searched for studies conducted between 2005 to July 2017. Studies that focused on knowledge of community pharmacist in cancer screening, signs and symptoms were included. Results: A total of 1538 articles were identified from the search, of which 4 out of the 28 potentially relevant abstracts were included in the review. Findings of the selected studies revealed lack of sufficient knowledge on breast cancer screening, signs and symptoms. Both studies attributed knowledge limitation as the cause of reason for the key findings of their studies. Conclusion: The selected studies focused largely on breast cancer, which hinder the generalizability and transferability of the findings. Hence there is a need for more studies to be conducted in this area to draw a better conclusion.

scholarly journals The Particularities of Pharmaceutical Care in Improving Public Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9776
Author(s):  
Steliana Ghibu ◽  
Anca Maria Juncan ◽  
Luca Liviu Rus ◽  
Adina Frum ◽  
Carmen Maximiliana Dobrea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Pharmaceutical Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Financial Measures ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays, humanity is confronted with one of the most difficult challenges. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified for the first time in Hubei, China in December 2019 and produced the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating disease that led to many complications and deaths. The authorities and the global healthcare system have been alerted regarding the prevention and treatment of this pathology. Even though worldwide quarantine was declared, health care professionals, including pharmacists, have been at the frontline in this war. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the authorities relied on the involvement of the community, hospital, or clinical pharmacists in offering support to the entire population. Also, the authorities implemented measures for emergency authorization of the vaccines, or the drugs used in COVID-19 treatment. In order to facilitate the population’s access to healthcare services, the authorities have established regulations regarding, the extension of prescriptions by pharmacists, working hours, prevention of shortages and price-increase, drive-thru services, etc. However, several countries have taken financial measures to support the pharmacies’ activity. At the same time, pharmaceutical associations elaborated guidelines for the protection of pharmacists and patients alike. Additionally, the pharmacies have come to support the health system and patients by adapting pharmaceutical care to the new needs like preparation and supply of disinfectants, patient care, information, and counseling, especially to COVID-19 patients, as well as the implementation of home drugs-delivery systems. The important roles played by pharmacists were to perform COVID-19 tests and further vaccines, as well as to combat the abundance of misinformation and fake news. The clinical and hospital pharmacy services have also been adapted. Strengthening the role of the pharmacist in the medical team was important for the purpose of providing correct and complete information regarding drugs used in the COVID-19 pathology. In all these activities, pharmacists needed creativity and professionalism, but also the support of pharmacy owners and managers. With this crisis, pharmaceutical care has entered a new phase, demonstrating the ability of pharmacists to be competent and accessible providers of public health. Based on this information, we conducted a narrative review whose purpose was to identify the impact of the authorities’ decisions on pharmaceutical practice, the involvement of professional associations, and the responsibilities of the pharmacy owners and management. On the other hand, we performed a global assessment on the pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists as well as by clinical or hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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