Demand for Pharmacy Technician Workforce at Primary Healthcare Centers during the Past 12 Years (2006-2017) and in the Future (2018-2030) in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2019,8,3,182-185.DOI:10.5530/ijpcs.2019.8.30Published:September 2019Type:Research ArticleAuthors:Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Saeed Jamaan Alghamdi, and Radi Abdullah Alattyh Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, The Former General Manager of General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, The Former Head, National Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, The Former Head, Pharmacy R and D Administration, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Saeed Jamaan Alghamdi, General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Radi Abdullah Alattyh, General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Objective: To explore the demand of pharmacy technician workforce at Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) over the past 12 years (2006–2017) and in the future (2018–2030) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the demand of MOH’s pharmacy technician workforce during the past 12 years (2006-2017) and in the future (2018-2030). All data were derived from the MOH’s Statistical Year Books and any missing information regarding the pharmacy technician workforce will be estimated through allied healthcare professionals’ data from each region including data on gender or nationality. It included pharmacy technician and excluded all types of pharmacists or clinical pharmacist’s workforces at MOH hospital setting. All calculations were based on MOH’s workforce standards of PHCs and updated literature. All calculations were performed using Microsoft Excel version 10. Results: The demand for number pharmacy technicians based on the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:3) was (4–1,392) with an average number of (608.92) pharmacy technicians required. The demand for number of pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:4) was (37,453–46,058) with an average number of (41,611.17) pharmacy technicians required. While the demand for pharmacist: pharmacy technicians in the ratio standard (1:2) was (18,281–22,218) with an average of (20,159.67). The number of pharmacist: pharmacy technicians required in the future based on the ratio standard (1:3) was 27,867–34,138 with an average number of (30,885.42) pharmacy technicians required. In the future (2018–2030), the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians based on the ratio standard (1:4) was (47,600–64,317) with an average of (54,895.23) pharmacy technicians required. However, the pharmacist: pharmacy technicians based on the ratio standard of (1:2) was (23,154–31,286) with an average number of (26,689.30) pharmacy technicians required. The number of pharmacist: pharmacy technician required based on the ratio standard (1:3) was (35,377–47,802) with an average number of (40,792.27) pharmacy technicians required. Conclusion: In this study, the demands and future forecasting of pharmacy technician workforces was determined. The pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio should be standardized. Pharmacy technicians may be utilized at community pharmacies in the future. Periodic analysis of demand and forecasting at PHCs is highly recommended in Saudi Arabia. View:PDF (177.32 KB) PDFClick here to download the PDF file. Images The demand for pharmacy technicians based on the actual primary healthcare center pharmacist (2006–2017).