Benchmarking clinical pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates with United States of America and Sweden

Abstract

Context: Clinical Pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are evolving, mostly with reference to the advancements in the United States of America (USA). American and Swedish healthcare agencies are operating healthcare facilities in the UAE. Benchmarking the advancements from observations of Clinical Pharmacists or Pharmacists in these regions is valuable. Aims: To benchmark key characteristics of clinical pharmacy services in the UAE with the USA and Sweden. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were carried out, closed-ended questions to assess the association of pharmacist-physician relationship, patients’ demand for the clinical pharmacy services, and the importance of clinical pharmacy with various factors. The pharmacists’ perception and opinions towards clinical pharmacy roles using open-ended questions were investigated. Data were analyzed using SPSS® V26. Results: Out of 250 pharmacists approached, 190 completed the questionnaire (76% response rate); most of them, 88.4%, were clinical pharmacists and had more than 2 years in practice. Pharmacists or Clinical Pharmacists from the UAE did rate clinical pharmacy services lower compared to their counterparts in Sweden and the USA, for example, “do patients demand clinical pharmacy services in your country”; [Sweden: (60/64, 93.75%), vs. UAE (17/63, 27.0%), p<0.005] and [USA: (50/63, 79.4%), vs. UAE (17/63, 27.0%), p<0.005]. In addition, physicians’ support, time efficiency of clinical pharmacy services, value for money to the payers (p<0.05) were other examples that UAE respondents rated low (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that clinical pharmacy services in the UAE need significant improvements to be on par with practices in the USA and Sweden.