Concept Of Pharmaceutical Care Research Articles

Comparative analysis of newer classes of antidiabetics and the concept of pharmaceutical care – dealing with therapeutic problems

The prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly. The latest World Health Organization – WHO report declares the disease as an epidemic. After pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, clinical and pharmacoepidemiologic data analysis and comparison of the three classes of antidiabetic medicinal products: GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors, a literature review of the topic, patient education and the concept of pharmaceutical care emerged as methods for dealing with the most common adverse drug reactions, safety concerns, and drug interactions.

Gambaran Tingkat Kepuasan Pasien terhadap Pelayanan Informasi Obat di Apotek Wilayah Lombok Timur

Pharmaceutical services are a direct and responsible service to patients. One of the pharmaceutical service activities that align with the concept of pharmaceutical care is found in the quality of Drug Information Services (PIO) in pharmacies. The aim of this research is to determine the implementation of DIS based on the Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation No.73 of 2016 in pharmacies in the East Lombok region. This study is observational descriptive using quantitative analysis in the form of calculating the percentage of Respondent Achievement Level (TCR). Data was collected using a questionnaire covering eight activities that pharmacists should undertake when providing drug information, which were subsequently used as indicators. Sample selection was done through purposive sampling with a minimum of 96 samples. Based on the research results, the TCR percentage values for the indicators were as follows: information on drug efficacy at 78% with a good category; dosage form at 78% with a good category; usage instructions at 75% with a good category; drug dosage at 74% with a good category; side effects at 74% with a good category; drug storage at 74% with a good category; safety for pregnant and nursing mothers at 46% with a fair category; information on drug prices obtained a score of 90% with a very good category. The average TCR score for the 8 indicators was 73.3% with a good category in providing drug information services in accordance with the Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation No.73 of 2016 in pharmacies in the East Lombok region.

Pharmaceutical Care Within Community Pharmacies: Tools Availability and Pharmacists' Views, Wad-Medani, Sudan.

Pharmaceutical Care (PhC) services within community pharmacies (CPs) have become a vital issue in many developed countries. This study assessed the availability of PhC tools and pharmacists' views towards PhC services within CPs in Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The participants were 120 community pharmacists. Fifty-eight percent of respondents used to work in pharmacies near homes rather than within the marketplace. The study revealed that the overall tool availability of the assessed components and items was only 25% (Counselling areas 3%, Records 5%, Pharmacist identity 3%, Pharmacy phones 15%, Medical devices 38%, and Staff 29%). The result of pharmacists' views towards the PhC concept, roles, and responsibilities showed a high level of agreement, at 88%, with a statistically insignificant difference between participants. Tools available within CPs were lower than required. However, pharmacists' views showed a high agreement level towards PhC concept roles and responsibilities. Community pharmacists, academic sectors, and regulatory authorities must start initiatives to improve the provision of PhC tools for better patient care service delivery.

Community pharmacists perception and role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease conditions: Evidence from Ghana.

Globally, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading non-communicable diseases with a high mortality if not detected and managed early. The study assessed community pharmacists' perception and determined their role in CVDs prevention and management. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 registered community pharmacists in the Ahafo, Bono and Bono East regions of Ghana. Data was collected using validated questionnaires through an online and in-person surveys. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and STATA 14.1. Community Pharmacists had knowledge on the concept of pharmaceutical care (n=93, 92.2%). The roles that Pharmacists played in CVD management and control included educating clients on their conditions and drug therapy, checking for possible drug interactions and screening for risk factors. The barriers to CV health promotion were increase of the pharmacist's workload (n=96, 93.2%), lack of time (n=91, 88.4%) and lack of CVD educational materials and clinical tools (n=56, 54.4%). Community pharmacists have a positive perception of their role in CVDs and performed various activities to reduce the burden of CVDs. However, cardiovascular health promotion in community pharmacies is hindered by increase of the pharmacist's workload, lack of time and lack of CVD educational materials.

Role of pharmaceutical care in therapeutic regimens within the community pharmacy

The concept of pharmaceutical care (PC) has existed as a professional philosophy for more than 30 years. However, for a long period of time, little had been done for its integration into the regular practice of healthcare provision. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in patient influx in the community pharmacies (CP) encouraged the exploration and establishment of new healthcare services provided within the CP. Nevertheless, these services of PC are still novel, and more can be done to expand the community pharmacists’ current role in primary healthcare. This can be achieved by improving and expanding the newly established services, all while incorporating new ones, for the benefit of public health and the reduction of avoidable healthcare expenditures. This article reviews information about the benefits of this service regarding patient health and the reduction of financial expenses pertinent to adverse drug events within the setting of the CP. Adverse drug events account for significant healthcare expenses and patient distress due to relevant symptoms, emergency doctor visits, and increased hospitalization rates. Several studies conducted internationally have investigated the positive impact of PC practiced by community pharmacists. In spite of results sometimes presenting a non-continuous pattern, PC applied under specific conditions has tangible positive outcomes. Congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients presented fewer hospital admissions, better symptom control, and higher adherence in comparison to control groups, while a study on asthma patients revealed improved inhalation techniques. All intervention groups reported psychological improvement and a better understanding of their treatment. Special reference is made to the importance of this service for patients receiving anti-cancer treatment and how community pharmacists can have a crucial role in designing, monitoring, and re-designing these therapeutic schemes whose complexity and related adverse drug events negatively affect patient adherence. The role of community pharmacists was very important, especially for primary care, for both patients and healthcare systems during the pandemic, and it seems that it will remain decisive in the post-COVID era as well. The increased complexity of therapy and polypharmacy creates the need for organized, active participation of pharmacists in healthcare provision so that they can use their knowledge and skills under continuous cooperation with other healthcare professionals, thus providing coordinated services for the benefit of the patient.

Retrospective Assessment of the Clinical Pharmacist Sheets among a Few Iraqi General Hospitals

Background: Clinical pharmacist sheet is an essential part of the medical record; it highlights the pharmacist’s role during hospitalisation through the concept of pharmaceutical care and specific pharmacist collaboration with a patient and other health care teams. Objective: To assess the documentation completeness level of the clinical pharmacist sheet, pharmacist intervention, type and prevalence of Drug-Related Problems. Methodology: A retrospective observational study that included revised 3900 clinical pharmacist sheets from Baghdad and Thiqar Hospitals for 2018, 2019, and 2020. The forms from four departments of the hospitals (internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology and obstetrics). In addition, assessment completeness of the pharmacist documentation level in the clinical pharmacist sheets, and Pharmacist interventions. Results: The overall documentation completeness level in the clinical pharmacist sheets was generally poor (less than 50% of the sheet items were filled in). The best documentation level was presented in the surgery ward (52.34%). A total of 3900 clinical pharmacist sheets were analysed within multi-ward hospitals that revealed variable percentages of DRPs (10%, 8.55%, 12.44%, and 7.42%) in internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, and paediatric respectively. Findings also revealed a significant decline in pharmacist interventions over the last three years. Conclusion: There was poorn documentation completeness level and pharmacist interventions over the last 3 years among clinical pharmacist sheets. Drug selection, dosing, and substituting unavailable drugs with an alternative were the commonest causes of DRPs.

A survey of pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes and barriers in pharmaceutical care concept in Poland

BackgroundThe major goals of pharmaceutical care (PC) are to improve the patient’s quality of life and ensure safety of pharmacotherapy. Inclusion of a pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team caring for the patient and integration of state-of-the-art pharmaceutical services with medical care and nursing are some of the most important challenges that the health care system in Poland is facing.ObjectivesTo evaluate the pharmacists attitudes towards practice in, and knowledge of PC in Poland and to identify the barriers in PC provision.MethodsThe study was designed as a multicenter study, conducted among Polish pharmacists. Random sampling technique was employed to select the study group. Face-to-face questionnaire method was used to interview the pharmacists, upon obtaining their prior verbal consent to participate in the study. The study was conducted between January 2017 and September 2019.ResultsOnly 15% of the pharmacists have ever attended a training on PC. 72% believed PC provision was necessary to ensure pharmacotherapy safety. Only 63% of the pharmacists believed that preventing and solving health-related and drug therapy problems for patients were their responsibilities. The main reason for non-provision of PC by the pharmacists was the lack of time for such activities, lack of legal regulations, lack of organizational facilities.ConclusionThis study indicates that implementation of PC is expected in Poland. Educational programs in this respect are urgently needed. PC provision should be included in the curricula of academic pharmaceutical courses.

The extent and barriers in providing pharmaceutical care services by community pharmacists in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSince the introduction of pharmaceutical care concept by Hepler and Strand in 1990, community pharmacists worldwide have been realigning their roles from being product-focused to patient-orientated to improve patient's quality of life. The objectives of this study were to determine the type of services, with emphasis on the extent of pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists and the barriers in providing such services in Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Community pharmacists in Malaysia were invited to participate in the study via emails. The questionnaire was structured based on the Malaysian Community Pharmacy Benchmarking Guidelines, the five practice principles of pharmaceutical care by the American Pharmacists Association and other studies. The online questionnaire was opened for 6 months, from April to September 2018. A reminder to participate was sent via email to the community pharmacists every fortnight.ResultsA total of 420 community pharmacists responded to the online questionnaire. Besides essential services such as treatment for minor illness, medicine dispensing and counselling, most of the respondents were providing health screening and monitoring (99.5%), selection and recommendation of health supplements (90.5%), patient medication review (68.8%), weight management (52.4%) and counselling on smoking cessation (51.0%). More than half (53.3%) of the respondents reported that they were providing pharmaceutical care services to patients with chronic diseases. Based on the practice principles of pharmaceutical care, the respondents were involved in patients' data collection (23.3%), medical information evaluation (18.6%), formulating a drug therapy plan (9.3%), implementing a drug therapy plan (4.5%), and monitoring and modifying the plan (18.3%). Lack of separation between prescribing and dispensing was perceived as the main barrier to the implementation of pharmaceutical care services by a majority of the respondents (84.0%).ConclusionsThe present study found that pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists in Malaysia were inadequate compared to international practice principles. Areas that need improvement included collaboration with patients' other health care providers; more proactive management of patient's medicine regimen; having proper patient monitoring and follow-up mechanisms, and documentation.

THE STATUS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN EGYPT: ARE COMMUNITY PHARMACIES READY TO DELIVER CLINICAL PHARMACY SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL?

Pharmacy practice is witnessing considerable changes in concept and practice in Egypt in recent years. Egypt has the highest number of pharmacists per capita and community pharmacies in the Middle East and North Africa region. Literally, all medicines are freely sold without a prescription irrespective of their status as prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs; and the pharmacist plays a key role in recommending basic medicines to the public. Community pharmacies are widely distributed throughout the country and more accessible healthcare facility to the community that offering clinical, diagnostic and public health services. The concept of pharmaceutical care has not also been acknowledged yet at community pharmacies; and most community pharmacies lack computerized systems and modern technologies, as well as lack of qualified pharmacists who could deliver clinical pharmacy services. Despite laws and regulations exist; there is a lack of enforcement of those regulations to ensure good pharmacy practice at community pharmacies. The aim of the review was to describe the current status of community pharmacy in Egypt and their preparedness to deliver clinical pharmacy services.

Study of pharmaceutical competences among the Romanian population, based on an online survey

Abstract From the year 1990s the pharmaceutical competenceshttps://www.thesaurus.com/browse/assignment based on drug supply has been completed with the patient consultation and communication. This fact has greatly expanded the work of the pharmacists. As a result of this, the concept of pharmaceutical care has been introduced and normalized in several countries. But, in spite of all efforts there are still major differences in health care policies and practices among European countries. The aim of this study was to check the estimation of the pharmacists’ duties by patients and the attitude towards online medicine acquisition. Materials and methods: we used a four - part questionnaire created in Google Forms. The content of the questionnaire consisted of: a.) checking of the demographic data, b.) assessment of patients’ attitudes towards pharmacies, c.) assessment of pharmacist competences, d.) examining the viability of an online drug supply. Results and discussion: 524 persons completed the questionnaire (88.7% women, 11.3% men). 66.8% were from the city and 33.2% from the village, respectively. Patients’ adherence to pharmacies in most cases depended on the location of the pharmacy (65.1%) and the kindness (36.5%) and competence (36.5%) of the pharmacist. Checked with three parallel questions, it turned out that the number of questions occurring in the patients’ mind at home always exceeded the proportion of the answered questions in the pharmacy. 68.1% of the respondents consulted a pharmacist in the absence of a physician. Many (54.4%) of that surveyed searched healthcare information on Google search, but few of them ordered medicinal products via Internet. Based on the results of our survey, 18.3% of the respondents searched healthcare information on healthcare professionals’ online platform. Their trust was much greater in such platforms than in information found on Google search. Conclusion: A slight loyalty to a certain pharmacy can make it difficult to follow the drug therapy. This adherence to a pharmacy can be increased by the kindness and skills of the pharmacist. Although patients search healthcare information on online interfaces this information do not convince them to order medicinal products via Internet. The high degree of trust in pharmacist or physician managed homepages highlight the importance of these interfaces.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients’ satisfaction with pharmacy services in Wollega University Referral Hospital, Western Ethiopia

Introduction: Ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical services in hospitals is an integral aspect of providing quality of health care. In this regard, it has long been proven that the adoption of the concept of pharmaceutical care is essential to improve the quality of pharmaceutical services. Hence, this study aimed to assess type 2 diabetes mellitus patients’ satisfaction with pharmacy services in Wollega University Referral Hospital, West Ethiopia. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed from May to June 2019. Data were collected using both close and open-ended questionnaires from the sample of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 and Descriptive data were explained by frequency and percentage. Results: From a total of 195 study participants, 124 (64%) were satisfied with pharmacy service. Patients who were satisfied with pharmacy services reported possible reasons like availability of the prescribed drugs, affordability, and notice of information on the drug package that is not taken with foods. However, patients were dissatisfied with other pharmacy related factors like the reflection of negative attitude from the pharmacists and withholding information on what to do during the occurrences of adverse effects. About two thirds (67.8%) patients agreed with the availability of prescribed medicines. None of the patients had negative attitude toward the pharmacists. About 43.1% of the patients strongly disagreed with unclear instruction of taking medicines. Conclusion: The patients’ satisfaction level with pharmacy service was affected by different pharmacy service-related factors. The management of Wollega University Referral Hospital has to establish and activate information centers to sufficiently provide drug information for the patients and motivate pharmacists morally and financially.

Southern Yemeni Pharmacy Dispensers ' Understanding, Attitudes and Perceived Barriers Related to Pharmaceutical Care

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) is the value of a practice that includes recognizing and solving medication therapy issues to improve patient outcomes. Studies regarding this issue in Yemen are very limited.
 Objectives: The study aims to assess the perception of community pharmacists to the concept of Pharmaceutical care and the obstacles that limit the provision of pharmaceutical care.
 Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study of community pharmacy dispensers (CPDs) was conducted among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies in different areas of South Yemen from September 2019 until December 2019. The structured self-administered questionnaires consist of four sections dealing with the demographics of participants and their understanding of the concept of pharmaceutical care and their attitudes and obstacles to the implementation of pharmaceutical care in Yemen. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0
 Results: A total of Two-hundred pharmacists were included in this study. The result revealed that there were a reasonable number of experts (over 5 years' experience) and educated pharmacists( Diploma and bachelor’s degree) available for counseling patients about specific issues in the community pharmacies. Interestingly, all the respondents had good knowledge of pharmaceutical care and the majority of the pharmacists (87.5%) had a favorable attitude toward pharmaceutical care and their role in the health care system. The overall results relating to the perceived frequency of community pharmacy services provision was lower than (50%) in most statements. The result indicated a gap in the community pharmacists' communication with the patients. There are several barriers impedes the active and effective involvement of community pharmacists such as; insufficient communication with physicians, lack of physical space for pharmaceutical care, the slow introduction of pharmacists’ law, and others.
 Conclusion: The results revealed that pharmacists' understanding of the pharmaceutical care concept is good despite that there was no real implementation of pharmaceutical care. Even though they had positive attitudes towards the concept but there were many barriers to the effective application.
 Keywords: Pharmaceutical Care Concept; Community Pharmacists; South Yemen

Pharmaceutical care in the treatment of pediatric asthma: the role of community pharmacist

Asthma is one of the leading chronic diseases in the pediatric population affecting 1 out of every 12 school-aged children. It has a significant contribution to the growing prevalence in prescribed medications. The symptoms of pediatric asthma are often variable. Pharmacotherapy is dominant modality in the treatment of asthma. Safe and effective treatment is still a challenge for all caregivers, including pharmacists. Taking into account the increasing global burden of asthma, pharmacists are ideally positioned to contribute in asthma management. The concept of pharmaceutical care implies achieving an optimal therapeutic outcome and improving patient’s quality of life through the promotion of rational drug use. The aim of this article is to give an overview of published data emphasizing to the need of implementation of pharmaceutical care services in the treatment of childhood asthma and the significant aspects of pediatric asthma medication therapy management in community pharmacy. Keywords: asthma, pediatric population, community pharmacist, pharmaceutical care

Impact of intensified pharmaceutical care on health related quality of life in patients with stroke in a tertiary care hospital

BackgroundThe study investigates the pharmaceutical care concept to optimize drug therapy, minimize drug related problems and thereby improving health related quality of life (HRQoL) of stroke patients. Since stroke is a major health problem that negatively affects the patient’s quality of life, it is relevant to the current pharmaceutical care scenario in a developing country like India. HRQoL related to stroke and life satisfaction after stroke is the important healthcare measures. MethodologyProspective interventional study conducted among inpatients of neurology department in a tertiary care referral hospital. 128 Patients with TIA/ischemic stroke were allocated to intervention group and control group (64 in each group). Pharmaceutical care was provided to the patients in the intervention group. SF-36 questionnaire was administered to both control group and interventional group to evaluate the patient’s HRQoL. Adherence to entire therapy and antithrombotic therapy in both control group and intervention group were assessed using Morisky Medication Adherence Scales MMAS-8. ResultsPrevalence of ischemic stroke was more compared to hemorrhagic stroke. During the study, the intervention group showed high adherence to overall therapy than the control group. With an intensified pharmaceutical care, improvement in the HRQoL was observed in intervention group and was manifested in subscales and summary measures of SF-36. ConclusionThe study enables demonstration and application of a pharmaceutical care program among stroke patients to prevent complications to improve HRQoL. This study indicates that pharmaceutical care can be performed in both hospital and community settings as it provides more benefit and positive impact on patient’HRQoL.

North Cyprus Pharmacist’s Cognition and Practice of Pharmaceutical Care

The aim of this project is to assess community pharmacists’ attitudes towards their professional practice and to determine their perceived competence in various pharmaceutical activities. The philosophy of Pharmaceutical care focuses on the responsibility of pharmacist to meet all of the patient’s drug-related needs, and assist the patients in achieving their goal through collaboration with other health professionals. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted prospectively between January and March 2016. It involved community pharmacists working in pharmacies within North Cyprus. There are 190 pharmacies in North Cyprus, 110 questionnaires were administered out of which 80 completed giving a response rate of 78.0% from pharmacists working in community pharmacies. Results: The result of the current study showed that 97.5% of respondents had knowledge deficit of pharmaceutical care concepts but there is a positive attitude towards the practice of pharmaceutical care. In comparing pharmacist’s perceptions toward pharmaceutical care, no significant difference was noticed between females and males. While young and new pharmacists significantly (p=0.0001) believe more than older more experienced pharmacists that a pharmacist is only responsible to dispense or counsel the patients on the drug prescribed by him or the physicians. Conclusion: Pharmacists in North Cyprus had positive pharmaceutical care orientations. This should encourage pharmacist bodies’ educators and regulatory agencies to design initiatives to increase the frequency and quality of practicing pharmaceutical care in community pharmacy.

Concept of Pharmaceutical Care In The Brazilian Legislation

Concept of Pharmaceutical Care In The Brazilian Legislation

Pharmaceutical care and the use of routine diagnostic tools by community pharmacists in Ibadan, Nigeria

Purpose : To evaluate the use of routine diagnostic tools among community pharmacists in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study with pre-tested questionnaire administered to 94 pharmacists in community pharmacies in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise data and categorical variables were compared with Chi-square at a significance level of p <0.05. Results : With a response rate of 94.7 %, the study showed that 78 (87.6 %) of the respondents use routine diagnostic tools, 48 (53.9 %) document results of routine diagnostic tests, 72 (80.9 %) make interventions on the results but only 37 (41.6 %) document the interventions made. Although all the respondents were aware of the concept of pharmaceutical care (PC), only 55.1 % of them had adequate knowledge of PC, while 93.3% were willing to undergo training to improve their knowledge on PC implementation. Conclusion : Most community pharmacists routinely use diagnostic tools in Ibadan. However, there is need for improvement on documentation practices. Keywords : Routine diagnostic tools, Community pharmacists, Pharmaceutical care

Perceived needs of pharmaceutical care services among healthcare professionals in South Korea: a qualitative study.

Purpose To explore the need for pharmaceutical care services, key features of desirable pharmacy services, and perceived barriers for advancing the services in hospital environments with doctors and nurses who are key co-workers of the interdisciplinary team care services.Methods Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eighteen doctors and fifteen nurses employing purposive and snowballing sampling strategies were conducted in ten hospitals in South Korea. Results The level of pharmaceutical care was varied across regions or institutions in South Korea. The concept of pharmaceutical care was insufficiently defined, and tended to be limited to some parts of medication counseling. Through pharmaceutical care services, doctors desired to acquire comprehensive drug information from and to share clinical responsibilities with pharmacists. Nurses wished to lower their burdens of medication counseling services from their daily practices. Doctors and nurses asked for pharmacists providing essential and carefully selected medication information to their patients in a patient-centered manner. The listed barriers to pharmaceutical care included the lack of appropriate systems for reward, insufficient accessibility to patient records by pharmacists, ambiguous role descriptions of pharmacist, and absence of effective communication among professionals. Conclusion A successful pharmaceutical care service model should allow efficient exchange of information among healthcare professionals to build inter-professional trust and to provide a continuity of care both in terms of time and setting. As prerequisites of such system, it was warranted to develop clinical evidence and an appropriate reward system for pharmaceutical care services.

Opportunities and Challenges in the New Emerging Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Ethiopia: Systematic Review

Introduction: The availability of large number of medicines and the constant efflux of new information make them practically impossible for any health care professional to be updated in all aspects. This leads to the emergency of the concept of pharmaceutical care. The role of clinical pharmacists in the hospital setting have the potential to positively impact the quality of patient care and provide cost savings. Methods: A number of papers done in Ethiopia were used to see how pharmaceutical care is practiced in Ethiopia. Opportunities: Pharmaceutical care is given high value starting from our country’s health policy to stalk holders (hospitals, schools, other governmental and non-governmental institutions). The importance of pharmaceutical care services in saving lives and protecting public health is particularly relevant in resource-limited settings with a high prevalence of major medicine-treatable diseases and systems wide opportunities related to pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care providers participate in ward rounds. Their clinical knowledge and skill has been improved and they have also trying to do more clinical based researches (complex case reports, drug therapy problem identification and intervention. Thus 'Clinical Pharmacists' is the heart of pharmaceutical care. Challenges: Resistance of health care professionals to work with Pharmaceutical Care providers, unable to uphold responsibilities in their job, unable to get benefits for their activity, inadequate clinical skills, almost no role and responsibility of clinical pharmacist (lecturers) in their university hospitals, curriculum related problem and lack of sufficient number of specialists pose challenge for the emerging role of pharmacists.

National Pharmacy Administration Programs at Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia

General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care of Ministry of Health (GAPD-MOH) is founded in December 13, 2001 by decision of Minster of Health number 2286/1/29, and passed through four major phases. Initial Phase from 2000-2001 it is boring period, Construction Phase from 2001-2007 it is building of basic pharmacy administration and pharmacy practice, Development Phase from 2007-2012 stating of new strategic plan of pharmaceutical care, and Advance Development Phase consisting of five stages, 1st stage from 2012-2022 1st updating of pharmaceutical care strategic plan and building infrastructure pharmacy practice with emphasis of clinical pharmacy, 2nd stage 2022-2032 2nd updating of pharmaceutical care strategic plan, 3rd stage 2030-2040 3rd updating of pharmaceutical care strategic plan, 4th stage 20422052 4th updating of pharmaceutical care strategic plan, and 5th stage 2052-2062 updating of pharmaceutical care strategic plan [1]. During the Development Phase in February 2005 the 58th conference of the Health Ministers’ Council for the Cooperation Council States held in Muscat recommended to all gulf countries to establish pharmaceutical care departments in each MOH Gulf States [2]. Gulf Committee of pharmaceutical care was formulated to implement pharmaceutical care concept over all gulf counties. GAPD-MOH was a member in the committee. The committee stated six strategic concepts to implement pharmaceutical care as following [2].