A mini review on the Community Pharmacy practice experiences in selected Southeast Asian countries

Abstract

The aim of this short review article is to deliver enough data and information on several studies on the experiences related to Community Pharmacy during COVID-19 pandemic in selected Southeast Asian countries. The spread of COVID-19 infections across countries challenges different health care professionals including Community Pharmacists to perform under difficult circumstances. During the pandemic, the key functions in public health and medication therapy of Community Pharmacists were highlighted. These are significant contributions that they can impart in an outbreak of infectious diseases. In the countries under Southeast Asian region such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore Thailand and Vietnam, Community Pharmacy practice became challenging but it is the first point of contact in the health care systems of the said countries. In the response to the pandemic, Community Pharmacists extended their duration of services not just in their respective health care establishments but as well as thru communication lines and ensuring continuity of medicine supply in societies. Thus, Community Pharmacy practice is very substantial in the primary healthcare system in times of global health crisis.