Abstract
Introduction: Needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases cause undue shortages of approved drugs. This study was conducted to assess stockpiling on off-label pharmaceutical products in anticipation of COVID-19 in the country of Belize. The results of the study provide evidence on needless and wasteful stockpiling of medications, with the aim to discourage artificial shortages while reducing the risks of inappropriate medication use.Methods: The study utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach. Interviews using semi-structured questions were conducted with 15 community pharmacists in the country of Belize. The emerged themes and sub-themes were extracted and exported to Excel 2010® for integration, narration, and presented as summary findings.Results: Data analysis yielded three salient and inter-related themes: stockpiled products, motives for stockpiling, and pharmacist response.Conclusion: Panic stockpiling on pharmaceutical products in anticipation of COVID-19 was reported in this study. The World Health Organization advised against the needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases, thereby causing undue shortages of approved drugs. Observing personal hygiene and social distancing is encouraged as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Highlights
Needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases cause undue shortages of approved drugs
The pharmaceutical products demanded from the pharmacist were evidenced by the following quotations from the pharmacists: “Yes, medications and products that we sold on a daily basis included; Isopropyl alcohol 50%, 70% or higher; alcohol gel; hand sanitizer but none available; masks; latex gloves (Sm, Med, Lg); Vicks vaporub; Vitamins or multivitamins/minerals such as (Vitamin C’s, Seven seas cod liver oil, others such as vitamin D, Zinc, B-complex, multivitamins and minerals syrups for infants and adults)
The World Health Organization advised against the needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases such as COVID-19 thereby causing undue shortages of the approved drugs [1]
Summary
Needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases cause undue shortages of approved drugs. This study was conducted to assess stockpiling on off-label pharmaceutical products in anticipation of COVID19 in the country of Belize. The results of the study provide evidence on needless and wasteful stockpiling on medications, with the aim to discourage artificial shortages while reducing the risks of inappropriate medication use. Conclusion: Panic stockpiling on pharmaceutical products in anticipation of COVID-19 was reported in this study. The World Health Organization advised against the needless stockpiling of approved medications for the treatment of other diseases, thereby causing undue shortages of approved drugs. The country of Belize was the last to report the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Central and North America. Patients with comorbidities and the elderly (60 years and above) are reported to be at higher risk of severe complications and death [4,5]
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