Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Pharmaceutical Companies on the Internet in Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To survey senior pharmacy students’ attitude towards the community pharmacy rotation. Methods: Questionnaire was developed and tested for face and content validity by 2 experts, one community pharmacy manager and one faculty member. Questionnaire was distributed to UBU pharmacy students after the national license examination in March 2012. Results: Of 119 surveys, 86 returned the questionnaire. About 81% of respondents were female and were in clinical pharmacy major. 99.7% of respondents completed at least one 5-weeks community pharmacy rotation. Approximately 74% agreed the number of weeks and contents from the rotation was met the minimum requirement to be able to work in community pharmacy whereas 19.8% agreed additional hours and contents should be extended. 51.6% were confident in working as a community pharmacist after completing the rotation. 62% and 20% decided to work as a hospital pharmacist and community pharmacist respectively. The top 3 reasons to select the preferred job were (1) match my interests and skills, (2) near home town, and (3) parents’ expectation. 36.5% indicated this rotation was beneficial whereas 48.2%replied it helped decidewhether towork in a community pharmacy. Over 60% indicated extra hours of screening for hypertension and diabetes, smoking cessation counselling, home health care, and outcome monitoring and assessment should be extended. Approximately 29% indicated other contents, including community pharmacy management, inventory control, and drug selection, should be added during rotation. 65.9% agreed pre-rotation in community pharmacy will strengthen students’ skills and experiences. Conclusions: Many students agreed the 5-week community pharmacy rotation met the minimum requirement whereas others agreed extra practice hours and contents should be included. However, about 52% are confident to work as a community pharmacist. Additional activities for community pharmacists’ proactive roles such as DM and HT screening, smoking cessation counselling, as well as pre-rotation should be included in the curriculum. Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Pharmaceutical Companies on the Internet in Thailand S. Phunpon, S. Pumtong, Faculty of Pharmacy, Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand, Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhonnayok, Thailand