Abstract
BackgroundCommunity pharmacies in Nepal serve as the first point of contact for the public with the health care system and provide many services, including administering injections. However, there is a general lack of documented information on pharmacy practice and injection use in these pharmacies. This study aims to provide information about pharmacy practice in terms of service and drug information sources, and injection use, including the disposal of used injection equipment.MethodsA mixed method, cross-sectional study was conducted in 54 community pharmacies in Pokhara city. Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, and also by the direct observation of pharmacy premises. Interviews with pharmacy supervisors (proprietors) were also conducted to obtain additional information about certain points.ResultsInterviews were carried out with 54 pharmacy supervisors/proprietors (47 males and 7 females) with a mean age and experience of 35.54 and 11.73 years, respectively. Approximately a half of the studied premises were operated by legally recognized pharmaceutical personnel, while the remainder was run by people who did not have the legal authority to operate pharmacies independently. About a quarter of pharmacies were providing services such as the administration of injections, wound dressing, and laboratory and consultation services in addition to medicine dispensing and counseling services. The ‘Current Index of Medical Specialties’ was the most commonly used source for drug information. Almost two-thirds of patients visiting the pharmacies were dispensed medicines without a prescription. Tetanus Toxoid, Depot-Medroxy Progesterone Acetate, and Diclofenac were the most commonly-used/administered injections. Most of the generated waste (including sharps) was disposed of in a municipal dump without adhering to the proper procedures for the disposal of hazardous waste.ConclusionsCommunity pharmacies in Pokhara offer a wide range of services including, but not limited to, drug dispensing, counseling, dressing of wounds, and administering injections. However, the lack of qualified staff and adequate infrastructure may be compromising the quality of the services offered. Therefore, the health authorities should take the necessary measures to upgrade the qualifications of the personnel and to improve the infrastructure for the sake of good pharmacy practice and the safer use of injections.
Highlights
Community pharmacies in Nepal serve as the first point of contact for the public with the health care system and provide many services, including administering injections
A community pharmacy is a unique combination of service and business, where pharmaceuticals are sold, and information is provided about the use of medicines and the prevention and treatment of diseases [1]
In Nepal, community pharmacies are frequently visited by people who purchase medicine with or without a prescription, and who receive treatment for their illness from pharmacy supervisors or physicians visiting the pharmacy [5,6]
Summary
Community pharmacies in Nepal serve as the first point of contact for the public with the health care system and provide many services, including administering injections. Community pharmacies are in most cases the first point of contact used by millions of people seeking health care every day [2,3]. These community pharmacists could play a significant role in the self-management of minor illness by using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and improve the overall health of their communities [4,5]. It was recommended to discontinue the training and encourage those involved to pursue a diploma course in pharmacy [12]. Most of the registered pharmacies in Nepal are run by “professionalists” [7,10,13]
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