The Forecasting Demand of Hospital Pharmacist Workforce in Eleven- Year (2006-2016) and future Fifteen-Years (2016-2030) at Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: The workforce of hospital pharmacist is one the elements of pharmacy strategic plan in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study is to explore the demand for hospital pharmacist’s workforce in past eleven years (2006-2016) and future fifteen years (2016-2030) at Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of eleven years (2006-2016) and projection for fifteen years in the future (2016-2030) of MOH hospital pharmacist workforce. All data derived from Ministry of Health statistical year books. It included demand pharmacist or clinical pharmacist’s workforces at MOH hospitals. The type of hospital included having bed capacity 50-1500 beds with Adults public hospitals, pediatrics and maternity hospitals, Psychiatric hospitals, Diabetic centers, Cardiology centers, Oncology Centers, Renal Dialysis Centers, and Medical cities. All calculations were based on MOH workforce standards of hospitals. All calculations were done using Microsoft Excel version ten. The calculations were per each region for a total of twenty-one regions, the hospital beds distribution numbers, the ratio of pharmacist per bed, total number of demand pharmacist per each sector, the expected number of pharmacist requirement in the coming years 2016- 2030 per each region across Saudi Arabia. Result: The total numbers of hospitals were 276 hospitals, 2,325 primary care centers, and 20 administration regions. The total numbers of pharmacists were 3,520, distributed at hospital 2,760 (78.41 %), at primary care centers 430 (12.2 %) while administration regions 330 (9.37 %). The average numbers of hospital beds were (35,940) with a range number of (31,877-41,835), and the total number was (41,835). The average numbers of pharmacists per hospital were (6.28) with a range number of (2.89-10.07). The average numbers of beds were (35,940) with a range number of (31,877- 41,835), and the total number was (41,835). The average numbers of pharmacist per bed (0.071) with a range number of (0.020-0.062). The total average demand hospitals were (5,662.98) with range (5739.40- 5607.00) with total number demand was (5607.00) hospital pharmacist. The total demand pharmacists for primary care centers by year 2030 will be (11,887.11) with range (8,367.00- 11,887.11). Conclusion: The total number of hospital pharmacists is indigent at MOH hospitals and not meet excepted recruitment standard. Targeting of the increasing number of hospital pharmacists through opening new jobs at MOH hospitals with complete pharmacist Saudisation is required. Key words: Hospital Pharmacist, Workforce, Manpower, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.