Community Pharmacy Practice Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Dietary Supplements: Community Pharmacies -Based Cross-Sectional Study in Yefren, Libya

Dietary supplements (DS) are the most prevalent subcategory of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is a classification of a variety of healthcare and medicinal items that aren't typically included in standard medications. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Yefren community pharmacies (Libya) about dietary supplements. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to collect responses from 100 participants in community pharmacies in Yefren in March 2024 through a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey. Result: This study used a validated questionnaire consisting of four parts, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding dietary supplements. Conclusion: all the participants in the community pharmacies in Yefren had good knowledge, attitude, and practices for dietary supplements.

Clinical outcomes following acute sore throat assessment at community pharmacy versus general practice: a retrospective, longitudinal, data linkage study.

To date, no research has compared longer-term outcomes (antibiotic provision; re-consultations; hospital admissions for quinsy; cost-effectiveness) following presentation with acute sore throat at general practice (GP) versus newer, pharmacy-led services. A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of sore throat consultations between 1 November 2018 and 28 February 2020 either with the Wales pharmacy-led sore throat test and treat (STTT) service or with a healthcare professional at GP. Individual-level pharmacy consultation data from the national Choose Pharmacy IT application were securely uploaded to the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank and linked to routinely collected, anonymized, population-scale, individual-level, anonymized health and administrative data. Of 72 736 index consultations, 6495 (8.9%) were with STTT and 66 241 (91.1%) with GP. Antibiotic provision at the index consultation was 1382 (21%) with STTT and 25 506 (39%) with GP [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.30; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.32]. Antibiotic provision within 28 days of index occurred in 1820 (28%) STTT and 26 369 (40%) GP consultations (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.47). GP re-consultation rate within 28 days of index date was 21% (n = 1389) with STTT compared with 7.4% (n = 4916) with GP (AOR, 3.8; 95% CI, 3.5 to 4.1). Coding limitations may lead to overestimates of GP re-consultations rates in the STTT group. Hospital admissions for quinsy were rare in both STTT (n = 20, 0.31%) and GP (n = 274, 0.41%) (AOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.1). STTT was less costly than consultation with GP. The pharmacy-led STTT service is safe, cost-effective, and contributes to antimicrobial stewardship.

Adherence towards good pharmacy practice of community pharmacists in central Visayas, Philippines

Abstract Introduction Community pharmacists play a pivotal role in bridging gaps in the delivery of health care services and for taking the roles of ensuring the rational use of medicines. With the advent of Good Pharmacy Practice, it is essential that there be an established national framework of quality standards and guidelines; however, there is dearth in the evaluation of GPP implementation in the country. Philippine community pharmacist's practices are expected to exhibit expertise in medications nonetheless, their practices often diverge significantly from these expectations. In this literature study, community pharmacists grapple with consultation roles due to lack of clinical guidelines, training, skills, and patient self-selection behavior. Aim The aim of the study was to assess the adherence towards Good Pharmacy Practice among community pharmacists in Central Visayas, Philippines and proposed a policy brief formulated based on the findings to gain a better understanding of the country's existing approach to community pharmacy practice. Methods The study used a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research design to scrutinize community pharmacist practices in the Philippines, specifically in FDA-registered independent and chain pharmacies in Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor provinces. Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Review Committee and four experts validated the instrument, resulting in a high and acceptable S-CVI and a reliability index of .893, indicating good reliability. The selection process involved stratified random sampling and a modified closed ended questionnaire from Badro et al. (2020) tallying 321 respondents. Data was recorded as 1 for Yes responses and 0 for No. The GPP adherence levels were categorized as poor adherence for <50% or good adherence for >75%. Results The demographic profile of the respondents indicates that the majority belongs to the Millennial generation aged 27- 45 years old. These respondents are predominantly female community pharmacists, mostly in Cebu. They hold a BS Pharmacy degree, having 3 years to less than 6 years of practice. Their work schedule typically exceeds 40 hours per week, and they operate within independent pharmacy. Findings revealed that the majority of community pharmacists in Central Visayas, Philippines have a poor adherence to the GPP indicators on data management and data recording with 69.8% (224), services and facilities with 94.7% (304), dispensing, preparation, administration and distribution of medicines with 96.2% (309) but good adherence to storage with 75.4% (242). The most significant challenges identified were time restrictions, a lack of understanding, a lack of training and resources. Additionally, time constraints, excessive workload, workforce shortage, lack of support from employers and other colleagues were recognized. But the majority shows compliance to FDA storage regulations and standards as a minimum requirement to continue the establishment and pharmacists operate in the community setting. Therefore, a three-pronged strategy is likely necessary: increasing the number of trained pharmacy staff, engaging in professional development and regulatory advocacy. Conclusion The majority of respondents demonstrated good adherence to storage indicators and poor adherence to data management, services and facilities and dispensing indicators. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and tailored strategies to elevate standards.

Medications for community pharmacists to dose adjust or avoid to enhance prescribing safety in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease: a scoping review and modified Delphi

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists commonly see individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are in an ideal position to mitigate harm from inappropriate prescribing. We sought to develop a relevant medication list for community pharmacists to dose adjust or avoid in individuals with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 30 mL/min informed through a scoping review and modified Delphi panel of nephrology, geriatric and primary care pharmacists.MethodsA scoping review was undertaken to identify higher risk medications common to community pharmacy practice, which require a dose adaptation in individuals with advanced CKD. A 3-round modified Delphi was conducted, informed by the medications identified in our scoping review, to establish consensus on which medications community pharmacists should adjust or avoid in individuals with stage 4 and 5 CKD (non-dialysis).ResultsNinety-two articles and 88 medications were identified from our scoping review. Of which, 64 were deemed relevant to community pharmacy practice and presented for consideration to 27 panel experts. The panel consisted of Canadian pharmacists practicing in nephrology (66.7%), geriatrics (18.5%) and primary care (14.8%). All participants completed rounds 1 and 2 and 96% completed round 3. At the end of round 3, the top 40 medications to adjust or avoid were identified. All round 3 participants selected metformin, gabapentin, pregabalin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin and rivaroxaban as the top ranked medications.ConclusionMedications eliminated by the kidneys may accumulate and cause harm in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease. This study provides an expert consensus of the top 40 medications that community pharmacists should collaboratively adjust or avoid to enhance medication safety and prescribing for individuals with an eGFR below 30 mL/min.

Exploring global perspectives on the use of computer-based simulation in pharmacy education: a survey of students and educators.

: Increasing student numbers and logistical challenges in pharmacy education limit patient counselling and clinical placement opportunities. Computer-based simulation (CBS) offers scalable, interactive learning but faces integration barriers. : To explore global perceptions of CBS implementation in pharmacy education among educators and students. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was developed based on literature review and expert feedback. The survey was distributed globally through academic pharmacy organisations, social media, and the authors' networks. It included 20 questions targeting pharmacy educators and students. : Responses from 152 educators across 38 countries and 392 students from 46 countries, spanning six WHO regions (AFRO, AMRO, EMRO, EURO, SEARO, and WPRO) were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of educators (90.1%, n = 137) and students (84.2%, n = 330) expressed comfort with using CBS and implementing it in their curriculum. Despite this, CBS was perceived as underutilised by 53.5% (n = 81) of educators and 63.7% (n = 250) of students. Students valued CBS for enhancing communication and problem-solving skills, while educators highlighted its relevance to community pharmacy practice. Both groups supported CBS use in assessments. All educators (100%) identified workload reduction as a key priority, hoped CBS could assist in this area. Educators also reported barriers such as financial constraints (56.6%, n = 86) and insufficient technical support (53.3%, n = 81). On the other hand, students were less optimistic about institutional support, with only a few (7.4%, n = 29) believed institutional leaders would actively support CBS adoption. Regional differences emerged, with SEARO (Southeast Asia) and AFRO (Africa) showing the lowest CBS usage rates. Educators in SEARO, AFRO, and EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean) raised concerns about technical support, while those in SEARO, AFRO, and WPRO (Western Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore) expressed financial concerns. Educators in AFRO and WPRO, however, reported being 100% comfortable with using CBS. : Both students and educators recognised the potential of CBS in pharmacy education, with strong support for its integration. Addressing barriers such as educator workload, financial constraints, and technical support is crucial for broader adoption. Improved resource allocation and targeted training for educators are essential to effectively incorporate CBS into the pharmacy curriculum.

Community pharmacists' knowledge and practices towards antimicrobial stewardship: findings and implications.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes have been implemented around the world to optimally manage antimicrobial use to attenuate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study assessed the knowledge and practices of community pharmacists towards AMS strategies in the Lusaka District, Zambia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 194 community pharmacists in the Lusaka district using a structured questionnaire from August 2022 to September 2022. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0. Of the 194 participants, 86% of the community pharmacists had good knowledge of AMS. The present study found that 83.5% were aware of AMS strategies used in community pharmacy practice. Further, 83.5% of the CPs were familiar with the goals of AMS and 89.2% believed that AMS was necessary for their pharmacy practice. Furthermore, 66.7% of the participants exhibited good practice towards the AMS strategies. Finally, 61.3% frequently avoided the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials that were not necessary. According to the findings of this study, the majority of community pharmacists had good knowledge of the AMS strategies that were employed to combat AMR; nonetheless, some of them had poor practices. Therefore, there is a need for community pharmacists to have access to sufficient ongoing professional development programmes and educational activities through AMS programmes to address AMR.

Delivery of enhanced asthma care in pharmacies: Perceptions and experiences of Australian service providers

BackgroundEvidence-based asthma management services have been tested in Australian community pharmacies for over 2 decades and have been well received by patients but are not retained in practice. The positive clinical outcomes of these tested services suggest the potential for wider implementation, for which the providers’ perspective is critical. ObjectiveThis investigation evaluates the implementability of the Pharmacy Asthma Service (PAS) through the experiences and perceptions of the community pharmacists delivering the service. MethodsForty-eight pharmacists took part in a posttrial semi-structured qualitative telephone interview, representing 42 of 51 (82%) eligible PAS intervention arm pharmacies. Qualitative data were deductively analyzed in accordance with the Implementation Outcomes Framework. ResultsPharmacists recognized the positive impact of the service on patients’ health outcomes, the pharmacist’s practice, and in fostering stronger and more beneficial pharmacist-patient relationships. However, whilst acknowledging the importance of such a service, the pharmacists faced challenges in recruitment and patient follow-up. Pharmacists stated that further work is required to address pharmacist and patient time constraints, patient health beliefs and to increase the acceptance of pharmaceutical care provision in community pharmacy practice by patients and other health care professionals. ConclusionPharmacists can deliver enhanced clinical care for asthma patients with positive perceived professional and patient outcomes. However, it remains evident that time, remuneration, and recognition of the pharmacist’s role in chronic care management form barriers to the implementation of asthma services in community pharmacies. Broader policy and systemic changes are required to successfully balance medication supply and quality patient management roles at the same time as a required shift in research processes.

Act for the future of community pharmacy

Community pharmacies serve as a vital gateway to primary care and public health, offering face-to-face pharmacist expert care to assure safe and effective medication use. However, they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with 20%-30% of all community pharmacy locations projected to close within the next year. The objective of this commentary is to highlight the critical need for systemic reforms and collective action within our profession to address the unique challenges faced by community pharmacies, ensuring their sustainability and continued role in providing essential health care services for patients. Key issues and evidence are provided to help pharmacy professionals better articulate why pharmacy closures are happening now and how we can work toward a transformed future. Pharmacy closures stem from an unsustainable business model characterized by declining reimbursement for prescription medications, opaque and anticompetitive pricing practices of pharmacy benefit managers, and limited reimbursement for clinical services. Among these challenges, our profession has the opportunity to create a future for community pharmacy where every person has local access to pharmacist expert care and medications through sustainable, integrated community pharmacy practice. Our profession must embrace community pharmacy teams’ role in patient care, champion opportunities to integrate community pharmacists and their support staff as members of the health care team, and advocate for payment transparency and transformation. Creating this future will take all pharmacists and all pharmacy professionals.

Implementation strategies and outcomes in the delivery of HIV test services (HTS) in community pharmacies in Nigeria

BackgroundStudies have shown that training interventions fail when proper strategies are not in place for their implementation. The study described the implementation strategies used in the delivery of the HIV test services (HTS) and measured implementation outcomes in the delivery of the services.MethodsThe study was conducted between August and November 2019 among 50 selected community pharmacies in Oyo State, Nigeria using a mixed-method quantitative and qualitative data survey design. The implementation strategies and activities used in the delivery of HTS in the pharmacies and during outreaches were described while both observational and survey methods were used to collect data. Implementation outcomes were measured and analysed in terms of penetration, adoption, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and appropriateness of the intervention.ResultsPenetration among respondents was 90%. Acceptability of the HTS was high (77.3%) among clients 20–49 years of age with 919 clients participating in the HIV screening. While 919 HIV tests were conducted, only 19 (2.1%) were positive. Adherence to the protocol of delivery of HTS (fidelity) indicated that all the respondents conducted rapid HIV testing, pre-testing counselling (43, 95.6%), post-testing counselling (40, 88.9%), and provision of confidential test results (39, 86.7%). Respondents’ responsiveness indicated that 23 (51.1%%) of the respondents could use up to 80% and above of the test strips given within the period. Researchers’ observations showed respondents’ ability to perform the tests as intended with little challenges. Participants felt that rendering the services was an interesting experience, and fulfilling, and allowed them to improve on their professional deliverables and practice. It also showcased the relevance of pharmacists in rendering HTS, creating awareness of the menace of HIV/AIDS, and helping people to stop the spread.ConclusionThe study showed that HTS is acceptable, appropriate, feasible, and easy to adopt in community pharmacies and penetration was high. For sustainability, community pharmacists should be well remunerated, and need for an established policy to include this scope in community pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy practice and policy research in Türkiye: a systematic review of literature.

In recent decades, there has been an interest in clinical pharmacy practice in Türkiye with emerging studies in this area. Despite the recent emergence of diverse pharmacy practice studies in Türkiye, a comprehensive assessment of overall typology of studies and impact has not been conducted thus far. This systematic review aims to document and assess pharmaceutical policy and practice literature published within the last 5 years in Türkiye. The other aim is to summarise the expected impact of published studies on policy and practice research. The systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines described in the PRISMA Statement. A comprehensive search approach, incorporating Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) queries and free-text terms was employed to locate pertinent literature related to pharmacy practice and policy in Türkiye. The search covered the period from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2024, and involved electronic databases including PubMed, Medline Ovid, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, PlosOne, and BMC. In the final grouping, 73 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. Among the quantitative studies, majority studies were cross-sectional survey studies. Through the rigorous thematic content analysis seven research domains were developed from the selected literature: drug utilisation and rational drug use, the emerging role of pharmacist, access to medicines and generic medicines, community pharmacy practice, pharmacovigilance/adverse drug reactions, and pharmacoeconomic studies. The pharmacist role is evolving; however, several challenges remain in fully realising the potential of pharmacists. These include regulatory barriers, limited public awareness of pharmacists' expanded roles, workforce capacity issues, and the need for ongoing professional development and training. Research studies are needed in the areas of generic prescribing, medicine adherence, intervention studies in community and hospital pharmacy practice, and on pharmacoeconomics and pharmacovigilance.

Academia’s Support of Community Pharmacy in This Time of Transformation

Community pharmacy is currently experiencing significant changes that will likely transform practice in unpredictable ways. With student interest in pursuing community pharmacy practice postgraduation on the decline, the Academy needs to ensure that a sufficient number of students passionate in community practice enter the workforce to guide this transformation in a positive manner for the profession and patients. This commentary reviews the ways that pharmacy faculty may promote community pharmacy during the students’ academic experiences. These include being mindful of the messages we send our students, promotion of community pharmacy postgraduate training, optimization of community-focused adjunct faculty relationships, and reviewing curricula to ensure contemporary community aspects.

Assessment to Identify the Role of Community Pharmacy Practices in Major Cities in Delta State, Nigeria

Assessment to Identify the Role of Community Pharmacy Practices in Major Cities in Delta State, Nigeria

Simulated patient methodology as a "gold standard" in community pharmacy practice: Response to criticism.

The simulated patient methodology (SPM) is considered the "gold standard" as covert participatory observation. SPM is attracting increasing interest for the investigation of community pharmacy practice; however, there is criticism that SPM can only show a small picture of everyday pharmacy practice and therefore has limited external validity. On the one hand, a certain design and application of the SPM goes hand in hand with an increase in external validity. Even if, on the other hand, this occurs at the expense of internal validity due to the trade-off situation, the justified criticism of the SPM for investigating community pharmacy practice can be countered.

Overview of Indonesian Community Pharmacy: Understanding Practice Changes

<p><span lang="EN-US">Community pharmacy practice in Indonesia has shifted to a patient-centered model, offering a </span><span lang="EN-US">range</span><span lang="EN-US"> of services that include treatment advice, chronic disease management, and public health promotion. This shift benefits consumers who visit community pharmacies as their initial healthcare point. The Indonesian healthcare system, a mix of public and private providers, is governed by a decentralized structure, fostering significant investment in private healthcare despite access limitations due to financial capacity. Medicines distribution, managed by the District Health Office, ensures supply to primary healthcare facilities, with community pharmacies regulated by the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian National Food and Drug Agency. Despite stringent regulations mandating comprehensive services, most pharmacists are not remunerated for their services. Pharmacy staff, including formally qualified pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, are registered professionals, with recent trends indicating a shift towards employing pharmacy technicians to enable pharmacists to focus on clinical roles. Economic factors and innovative service delivery modes, such as telepharmacy and online purchasing, are expected to influence future practices, enhancing the pharmacist's role in chronic disease management and other health conditions. The evolving community pharmacy practice in Indonesia reflects broader changes in the healthcare system and professional roles, with continued progression anticipated.</span></p>

An exploratory study to identify the factors influencing community pharmacist retention by using COM-B model

BackgroundDue to multitude of gaps in Pakistan's healthcare system, community pharmacies serve as the” first port of call” for various illnesses. However, the present scarcity of pharmacists in these settings poses significant challenges to healthcare delivery in the country. This scarcity is primarily due to difficulties in retaining pharmacists for community practice. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence the retention of community pharmacists by using COM-B model. MethodsA qualitative methodology employing the COM-|B model was utilized to design this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with pharmacists experienced in community pharmacy practice, at time and place convenient to them. Data were transcribed, translated and analyzed by deductive thematic analysis in accordance with the constructs of COM-B model. ResultsA diverse range of factors were identified that negatively influenced the retention of community pharmacists including working conditions and proprietor's demeanor, deficiency in training and intern experience, lack of career planning, low social acceptance, less salary and job satisfaction, less regulatory control and aptitude of renting out category. Conversely, the study also identified the factors that motivate community pharmacists to stay in their roles despite the challenges including strong educational background, abundant job opportunities, flexible schedules, direct patient engagement and positive impact on sales. ConclusionThere was an observed discrepancy between the challenges faced by community pharmacists and the motivators that encourage them to continue their job. Due to a disparity and abundance of challenges rather than motivators, retention rates for community pharmacists are low. This imbalance shed light on areas where improvements are needed to enhance pharmacist retention. Various areas for change were highlighted including strict implementation of regulations, integration of practical experience of community pharmacy practice and internships into academic programs, career guidance, and raising patient awareness about the roles of community pharmacists.

Vaccination services in community pharmacy practice: a scoping review

Abstract Introduction Vaccination services in community pharmacy practice is an important advancement in public health and has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of vaccination in community pharmacy practice and stakeholders’ views of vaccination services has not been recently reported. Aim This scoping review explores the provision of vaccinations in community pharmacy (vaccine type and to which patient groups provided) and key stakeholders’ (patients/carers and pharmacists) views of the vaccination services provided. Methods The study was registered with Open Science Framework, and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance was used to define the following inclusion criteria:[1-2] Participants: Studies involving patients of any age and other demographic variables receiving a vaccination service in any community pharmacy setting. Concept: Studies that reported on the implementation and evaluation of all vaccination services provided by pharmacists in the community pharmacy setting. Evaluation studies of vaccination services considered evaluation by patients and pharmacists. Context: Studies involving provision of vaccination services by pharmacists in community pharmacy in any geographical location. Vaccination services provided by other healthcare professionals were not included. Searches were performed in CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE (EBSCO) on 06/03/2023 using database-relevant controlled vocabulary (e.g., ‘pharmacy’, ‘vaccination’ and ‘service’). Grey literature searching was undertaken in MedNar. All study designs were considered for inclusion without publication date limits. Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two researchers and discrepancies resolved via discussion. Data extraction was undertaken using a modified JBI data extraction form. A mixed methods approach to data synthesis was used, with study characteristics analysed quantitatively and patients’/pharmacists’ views on vaccination services analysed qualitatively. Results A total of 3245 records were identified from the database searches for screening, with a further 211 from the grey literature. A total of 102 studies were included. Most studies were undertaken in the United States of America (43; 42.2%), Canada (17; 16.7%) and the UK (8; 7.8%). Study types included cross-sectional (67; 65.7%), retrospective observational studies (15; 14.7%) and non-systematic reviews (10; 9.8%). The influenza vaccine (40; 39.2%) was most commonly provided, followed by COVID-19 (14; 13.7%). Other vaccines provided included herpes zoster and human papillomavirus. Vaccinations were targeted to all age-groups relevant to the vaccine supplied. Patient satisfaction rates were high across various countries with experiences focussing on access, professionalism and quality of information provided. Pharmacists reported having a positive outlook on their role in providing vaccination services. Pharmacists viewed vaccination services based in community pharmacies as an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of their communities and improve immunisation rates. Pharmacists also reported barriers to vaccine service provision which included regulation, training, remuneration and storage, which may consequently limit service expansion. Conclusion A range of vaccines are available in community pharmacy, which has led to increases in patients availing of vaccination services. Patients’ and pharmacists’ perceptions towards the service are positive. Future research could address barriers, identified by pharmacists, which prevent expansion of vaccination services. Screening and data extraction involving seven reviewers was a strength of the study. As a scoping review, the study is limited as records were not quality appraised.

A survey of community pharmacists’ and healthcare advisors’ views and experiences on the provision of a Test and Treat Service for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection in a retail pharmacy chain in Ireland

Abstract Introduction The use of Point of Care Testing (POCT) as an aid to guide antibiotic prescribing has been highlighted in Ireland’s second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025 (iNAP2).[1] The role of community pharmacy is expanding with the introduction of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) POCT strategies. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequent and burdensome in the community. With antibiotic resistance on the rise amongst uropathogens, AMS efforts to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for urinary symptoms are paramount. Aim To evaluate community pharmacy staff views and experiences on the provision of a Cystitis Test-and-Treat Service for uncomplicated UTIs, while identifying opportunities for service improvement and expansion. Methods An electronic survey on Microsoft® Forms was distributed within a large retail pharmacy chain in Ireland during November 2021, with two reminders issued. Pharmacists and Healthcare advisors over the age of 18, working in 88 pharmacies that provided the Velieve Cystitis Test-and-Treat Service were eligible to participate. The survey was subdivided into participant demographics, local UTI information, views and experiences of participants on the Cystitis Test-and-Treat Service, the patient information leaflet and the training completed by pharmacy staff providing the service and included open-ended and closed-ended or Likert-scale questions. The survey was developed based on the literature and was revised following the contributions of pharmacy chain pharmacists and its Research Governance Committee who have a working knowledge of Service. Data were analysed using Microsoft® Excel and IBM® SPSS® statistics version 28.0. Qualitative data from the open-ended survey questions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 43 pharmacy staff (18 pharmacists and 25 healthcare advisors) participated in the study (overall participation rate of 10.2%). The majority of participants were female (83.7%) and most pharmacies were located in a town/suburb area (55.8%). The majority of participants (76.7%) estimated that service users with symptoms suggestive of UTI present to the pharmacy first, before visiting their GP. Participants believed that the Cystitis Test-and-Treat Service improved service user satisfaction in symptom management, reduced antimicrobial prescribing, alongside reduced general practitioner workload. High acceptability was attributed to the speed and convenience of the service, while time cost and time required explaining the service were identified as barriers. The associated smartphone application was identified as a service weakness. Participants recommended extended training on service user eligibility with perhaps training videos to improve overall confidence. While the low response rate and small sample size is a limitation of this study, the inclusion of participants from two differing pharmacy roles strengths the findings. Conclusion This study highlights that POCT are feasible AMS initiatives that enhance management of uncomplicated UTI and could be incorporated into community pharmacy practice. The perceived ‘poor public awareness of the service’ reported by the participants, suggests the need for increased promotion and advertising.

Defining evidence requirements for a Development Framework for Pharmacists (DFP) in community pharmacy practice

Background: The Development Framework for Pharmacists (DFP) was implemented in a pharmacy chain to guide pharmacist development. Both pharmacists and their supervisors faced challenges in defining evidence and performance levels for Domain 1 (Expert professional practice) standards. This study explored these challenges in a community pharmacy setting. Methods: Three online focus group discussions (FGDs) involving a DFP workgroup member and representatives from community pharmacies and polyclinics were conducted. The FGDs were facilitated by guiding questions and evidences gathered from pharmacists who had attempted the DFP. The FGDs were recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically. Results: Participants viewed the DFP as relevant to community practice but suggested aligning DFP evidence examples with community pharmacists’ responsibilities. Key themes from the FGDs included: (1) The need for clear definitions for descriptors, especially when identical evidence was used for different standards; (2) Professional education can be Domain 1 evidence when skills learned are demonstrated in the workplace; (3) Potential inclusion of education and training activities in Domain 1. (4) The need for a criteria model to assess pharmacists’ performance level in various roles and situations; (5) Clarification regarding the term "group of patients" (6) Considering back-end work as Domain 1 evidence. Conclusion: Addressing the above themes could enhance DFP integration for community pharmacists.

The role of Lesotho community pharmacists in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases: The perceived facilitators and barriers.

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality globally. The impact of cardiovascular diseases can be minimized by addressing modifiable risk factors at primary health care level. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to identify patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases for early detection and initiation of treatment. However, the role of Lesotho community pharmacists in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the Lesotho community pharmacists' role in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases. The methodological reporting of this study was guided by the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies. A list of registered community pharmacists was obtained from the Ministry of Health. Pharmacists were selected based on their close proximity to the researcher and invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Five themes were identified namely: 1) Current roles 2) Future role 3) Facilitators, 4) Barriers, and 5) Community pharmacists' perceptions of their roles. Generally, community pharmacists were involved in medication counselling, health promotion, and referral of patients. Lack of support from government, patients' lack of adherence, poor interprofessional relationship, and lack of clear community pharmacy practice guidelines were identified as barriers. Despite the challenges, community pharmacists are motivated by patients' gratitude for their services. Lesotho community pharmacists can potentially improve cardiovascular diseases' health outcomes at primary healthcare level through early detection of CVD risk factors, and health promotion.

Student pharmacist perceptions toward community pharmacy practice

BackgroundCommunity pharmacy practice has incurred significant changes in scope of responsibility and workplace environment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trends may impact how student pharmacists perceive community pharmacy practice and their future career opportunities. ObjectiveTo determine current perceptions that student pharmacists have toward community pharmacy practice. MethodsA 15-item electronic, cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to approximately 2200 student pharmacists from March to April 2023. To be included, respondents needed to be a current adult pharmacy student. The questionnaire included items about career interests, perceptions towards 12 different aspects of community pharmacy practice, and demographics. Data were analyzed primarily using descriptive statistics. A priori stratifications included interest to pursue community pharmacy according to class year and according to level of work experience. ResultsA total of 146 responses were included (response rate 6.6%). A total of 101 (69.2%) respondents were women, 108 (74.0%) were white, and the mean age was 24 years. Respondents represented all 4 pharmacy professional years, and 113 (77.4%) respondents reported current or previous work experience in community pharmacy. Most respondents were not interested in pursuing community pharmacy directly after graduation 77 (52.7%), nor as a long-term career 87 (59.6%). Student pharmacists found the most appealing aspects of community pharmacy practice to be salary/benefits, job availability and security, interactions with coworkers in the pharmacy, interactions with other medical professionals, relationships and interactions with patients, and teaching responsibilities. Student pharmacists found the work hours and schedule, business management responsibilities, navigating insurance-related tasks, and the pace of the work environment to be unappealing. ConclusionsStudent pharmacists report a low interest in pursuing community pharmacy practice. Minimizing deterrents and enhancing the appealing aspects of community pharmacy as perceived by student pharmacists may help improve recruitment and retainment, as well as improve perceptions of the practice.