Evaluation of drug dispensing by retailers in Pakistan
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Evaluation of drug dispensing practices by pharmaceutical drug retailers in pakistan
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:
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Atta Abbas,, Farrukh Rafiq Ahmed, Mehwish Rizvi, Muhammad Hassan Khan, Bharti Kachela
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Evaluation of drug dispensing practices by pharmaceutical drug retailers in pakistan
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study conducted by Atta et al. aimed to evaluate the drug dispensing practices of pharmaceutical retailers in Pakistan with a focus on their qualifications and workload. A quantitative cross-sectional survey over four months targeted 2021 pharmaceutical retailers across the country, yielding 1570 valid responses. The analysis sought to determine how the experience and qualifications of these retailers influenced their dispensing practices, especially in terms of patient counseling and the selling of prescription medications.
Dispensing Practices and Qualifications
One significant finding from the study was the prevalence of suboptimal dispensing practices among pharmacy retailers. A majority of these retailers had qualifications below the professional standard, with most employing individuals holding only pharmacy certificate courses or non-pharmacy qualifications. This lack of formal training resulted in rapid prescription dispensing, as 77.7% of retailers reported taking only 1 to 5 minutes per prescription. The study highlighted the dire need for qualified pharmacists to oversee drug dispensing, given the high proportion of inadequately trained personnel in community pharmacies.
Work Experience and Retailer Behavior
The research indicated a strong correlation between a retailer's work experience and their dispensing practices. As experience increased, so did the number of patients visiting them, as well as their tendency to engage in prescription interventions. However, a concerning trend was identified: experienced retailers were also more likely to sell prescription drugs without valid prescriptions. This behavior illustrates the challenges presented by a healthcare system lacking proper regulatory oversight, where profit motives can outweigh patient safety concerns.
Patient Counseling and Perceptions of Public Respect
Additionally, the study assessed the relationship between work experience and the ability to provide patient counseling. Experienced retailers demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence in counseling practices, while less experienced individuals often felt overconfident despite lacking the requisite understanding. Interestingly, perceptions of public respect increased with experience, suggesting that as retailers gained more experience, they were more likely to be regarded as trusted professionals by their patients.
Conclusion
The study concluded that while work experience among pharmaceutical retailers in Pakistan could enhance certain dispensing practices, it also facilitated practices that jeopardize patient care, such as the unauthorized sale of prescription drugs. Urgent regulatory measures are needed to ensure that qualified pharmacists monitor drug retailing practices, thereby safeguarding public health and enhancing patient care in the community pharmacy sector. The research underscores the critical need for improved regulations within the pharmaceutical retail sector to ensure responsible dispensing practices and enhance patient safety.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the objective of the study on pharmaceutical retailers in Pakistan?
The study aimed to investigate the dispensing practices of pharmaceutical retailers in Pakistan and compare those practices with their qualifications and workload.
How was the data collected for the study on pharmacy practices?
A quantitative cross-sectional survey targeted pharmaceutical retailers, with a questionnaire sent to 2021 drug retailers across Pakistan, collecting responses over four months.
What was the response rate of the survey conducted for the study?
Out of 2021 questionnaires sent, 1830 were returned, with 260 excluded for incompletion, resulting in a response rate of 77.6%.
What were some demographics of the pharmacy retailers surveyed in the study?
The majority were aged 26-35 years, with 58.6% being graduates and 30.6% had over 10 years of experience.
What issues were identified regarding the qualifications of employed pharmacy staff?
Many pharmacies employed individuals with pharmacy certificate courses or non-pharmacy qualifications, while only 3.2% employed pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
What conclusion was drawn regarding pharmacy practices and regulations in Pakistan?
The study concluded that while experience can improve dispensing practices, regulations are needed to ensure qualified pharmacists oversee drug retailing practices in pharmacies.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Evaluation of drug dispensing by retailers in Pakistan”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Drug:
Drug refers to substances used for medical purposes to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases. In the context of the study, the focus is on how pharmaceutical retailers handle drug dispensing and the implications their practices have on public health and safety in Pakistan, especially with self-medication trends.
2) Knowledge:
Knowledge pertains to the understanding and information about drugs and their applications. The study underscores the importance of pharmaceutical retailers having adequate knowledge to optimize treatment for patients, which is critical given the limited number of qualified pharmacists in Pakistan's healthcare system.
3) Study (Studying):
Study refers to the systematic investigation into drug dispensing practices among pharmaceutical retailers in Pakistan. The study aims to gather insights through quantitative methods, highlighting issues related to patient care and professional qualifications to inform potential improvements in pharmacy practices.
4) Table:
Table refers to a data representation technique used in the research to summarize and depict demographics and other relevant statistics clearly. Tables allow readers to quickly grasp complex information and trends, facilitating better understanding and interpretation of the survey results provided in the study.
5) Medicine:
Medicine is a field that encompasses the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. The discussion of medicine in this study relates to the role of drugs, how they should be dispensed safely, and the pharmaceutical retailers' responsibilities to ensure safe practices.
6) Reason:
Reason relates to the justifications for the practices observed among pharmaceutical retailers, such as the tendency to sell prescription drugs without prescriptions. This highlights underlying factors like profit motives and inadequate regulation in the healthcare sector that contribute to unsafe practices.
7) Perception:
Perception involves how pharmaceutical retailers are viewed by patients within the community. The study indicates that with experience, retailers gain a certain level of public respect, which influences how patients approach them regarding drug consultations, showcasing the social dynamics within pharmacy practice.
8) Disease:
Disease refers to any condition that impairs normal functioning and can necessitate medical intervention. The study aims to address how improper dispensing practices affect disease management and patient care in Pakistan's healthcare system, emphasizing the need for qualified oversight in drug retailing.
9) Science (Scientific):
Science in this context refers to the body of knowledge about drugs and their effects that inform pharmacy practice. It underscores the need for evidence-based practices and adequate training for those dispensing medication to ensure safe and effective patient care in community health settings.
10) Field:
Field pertains to a specific domain of study or practice—in this case, pharmacy and pharmaceutical retail. The exploration of practices within this field aims to highlight education levels, operational compliance, and necessary policy developments to improve healthcare outcomes.
11) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological relates to the science of drugs and their effects on living organisms. It forms the basis of understanding how pharmaceutical retailers should operate in their dispensing practices, which directly impacts the effectiveness of treatments and patient safety in drug retailing.
12) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the analysis and interpretation of findings in the study. It reflects on the implications of the survey results, addresses existing gaps in pharmacy practices, and suggests potential recommendations for improving drug dispensing and patient care through better regulations.
13) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotics are specific drugs used to treat bacterial infections. The mention of antibiotics highlights concerns regarding self-medication practices and their contribution to antibiotic resistance, necessitating careful dispensing practices by qualified personnel to safeguard public health.
14) Education:
Education in this context involves the formal training and knowledge acquisition required for effective drug dispensing. The study emphasizes the role of education in shaping the practices and responsibilities of pharmaceutical retailers, indicating a need for enhanced educational initiatives in pharmacy.
15) Training:
Training refers to the practical and theoretical preparation provided to pharmaceutical retailers to improve their dispensing practices. The study points out the lack of adequate training among many drug retailers, which compromises the quality and safety of patient care in the pharmacy sector.
16) Language:
Language encompasses the means of communication used in the study, particularly the structured questionnaire available in both English and Urdu. This allows for greater accessibility and understanding among diverse respondents, ensuring comprehensive data collection from a varied demographic.
17) Dealing:
Dealing pertains to the methods and practices adopted by pharmaceutical retailers in the management of drug dispensing. The study explores how different handling approaches affect patient safety and health outcomes, especially in the context of regulations and qualifications of the retailers.
18) Filling (Filled):
Filled indicates the completed status of prescription orders by pharmaceutical retailers. The study investigates how this process is executed, noting the potential challenges and regulatory needs that may arise from how efficiently and safely prescriptions are filled in community pharmacies.
19) Visit:
Visit refers to instances where patients seek advice or medication from pharmaceutical retailers. The study highlights how patients often turn to retailers for drug dispensing, underlining the importance of quality interactions and professional guidance in community health settings.
20) Line:
Line in this context could refer to the line of communication or practice standards expected in the pharmaceutical field. The study discusses the importance of adhering to professional lines of practice to ensure safe dispensing and effective patient care in the retail pharmacy environment.
21) Post:
Post refers to the aftermath of the study's findings, particularly regarding the implications for pharmacy practices in Pakistan. It highlights the need for post-study actions to implement regulations and improve the standards and qualifications of drug retailers in the community.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Evaluation of drug dispensing by retailers in Pakistan’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Patient care, Health and well-being, Informed consent, Statistical analysis, Work experience, Quantitative analysis, Institutional review board, Cross-sectional survey, Pharmacological treatment, Pharmacy practice, Pharmaceutical care, Patient counseling, Self-medication practice, Survey questionnaire, Over the counter drug, Pharmaceutical intervention, Target population.