Jordanian Pharmacists Research Articles

Role of Pharmacists in COVID-19 Disease: A Jordanian Perspective

The novel 2019 coronavirus outbreak that first appeared in Wuhan has quickly gained global attention, due to its high transmissibility and devastating clinical and economic outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the possible roles of Jordanian pharmacists in minimizing the stage of community transmission. A cross-sectional survey using Google forms targeting Jordanian pharmacists was conducted during March 2020 and distributed electronically by means of social media. Using the survey tool, we measured the pharmacists' knowledge, the educative activities they perform, and their perceptions regarding undertaking traditional and untraditional roles during the COVID-19 outbreak, as specified by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version-19. Jordanian pharmacists (n = 449) reported performing various educative activities, and in general, they were knowledgeable about various aspects of the COVID-19 disease (median knowledge score: 20 [range, 13-25]), but certain gaps in knowledge were detected that must be addressed. Pharmacists had positive perceptions about both their traditional and untraditional roles specified by the FIP, the median perceptions score was 4 (range, 1-5). Jordanian pharmacists can be used to reduce community transmission of the outbreak. However, more actions are required to keep pharmacists knowledgeable with recent disease updates to enable them to perform their tasks effectively during times of crisis.

Pharmacists' readiness to adopt prescribing authority in Jordan

Abstract Objectives The overall objective of this study is to assess the views and attitudes of Jordanian pharmacists on expanded pharmacist prescribing role. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. Pharmacists were invited to take part in this study through pharmacists' Facebook groups for pharmacists in Jordan. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in addition to the t-test to compare the mean difference of support levels toward supplementary and independent prescribing. Key findings A total of 521 pharmacists took part in this study. The majority of respondents (n = 482; 92.5%) believe that pharmacists in Jordan should have an expanded prescribing role. Respondents were significantly in favour of supplementary prescribing (P < 0.05) than independent prescribing for various medical condition (e.g. diabetes and asthma). Respondents identified securing more roles in healthcare (n = 464; 89%) and increasing pharmacy profits (n = 420; 80.7%) as key facilitators to adopt this new role. Whereas inadequate training in the diagnosis of disease (n = 457; 87.7%), and inadequate training in patient assessment and monitoring (n = 453; 86.9%) were reported as the most likely barriers. Conclusion Overall, Jordanian pharmacists strongly supported the expanded prescribing role and favoured supplementary prescribing for chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes). The study highlighted the need for additional training in various areas (e.g. diagnosing and managing some clinical conditions) to prepare Jordanian pharmacists for this new role.

Community pharmacy ethical practice in Jordan: assessing attitude, needs and barriers.

Background:Having a local code of ethics, based on moral obligations and virtues, known to all practicing pharmacists is important in order to guide them in relationships with patients, health professionals, and society.Objective:To investigate pharmacists’ attitude and barriers towards applying the ethical principles published by the Jordanian Pharmacists Association in the Jordanian code of ethics.Methods:The study objectives were addressed in a cross-sectional study completed by a convenience sample of community pharmacists, in both cities; Amman and Irbid A questionnaire was used to achieve the study objective. The questionnaire was developed and validated, investigating pharmacists’ socio-demographic and practice characteristics, perceived attitude toward certain practice scenarios, and perceived barriers towards applying the locally published ethical principles while dealing with their patients. The questionnaire was self-completed by pharmacists between January and August 2017. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests were used with p<0.05 set a priori as significant.Results:Seven hundred and four pharmacists (Amman n=486; Irbid n=218) responded to the questionnaire, providing completely answered questionnaires with a response rates of 69.4% in Amman and 99.6% in Irbid. Pharmacists from both cities revealed that they use the Internet as their main resource to obtain ethical information when they need it, to help them deal with their patients (34.0% from Amman and 31.5% from Irbid). More pharmacists in Amman (57.0%) had access to resources regarding ethical information at their practice sites compared to pharmacists in Irbid (24.0%). Significant differences in attitude was found between pharmacists practicing in both cities, as significantly less pharmacists from Amman (37.8%) declared that they would sell a medication for an unreported indication according to national and international guidelines, if recommended by the consultant, compared to pharmacists from Irbid (77.7%, p<0.001).Conclusions:Despite having ethical guidance from the Jordanian Pharmacists Association, the majority of pharmacists in Jordan do not use this resource; instead, most choose to access ethical guidance on-line. Pharmacists from the capital, Amman, reported to adhere more with the guidelines when selling a medication for an unreported indication compared to pharmacists from the smaller city, Irbid. Results of this study call for more actions from the authorities in the country responsible for setting and enforcing the pharmaceutical Code of Ethics.

Hospital pharmacy medication reconciliation practice in Jordan: perceptions and barriers.

The primary aim of this study is to gain an insight into hospital pharmacists' current practice and perceptions towards medicine reconciliation and to identify common challenges preventing pharmacists from providing this service. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months (September-October 2015) at four Jordanian hospitals accredited by the Joint International Commission. A total of 76 pharmacists were recruited. Each pharmacist completed a validated structured questionnaire evaluating (1) pharmacist's current practice of medication reconciliation, (2) pharmacist's perceptions towards practicing medication reconciliation and (3) pharmacist's perceived barriers towards implementing medication reconciliation. There was relatively low awareness of the presence of current medication reconciliation policy in the hospitals. The majority of recruited pharmacists believed that pharmacists must have an integral role in providing such services to patients. They were also willing and able to provide help and support to all healthcare providers regarding the appropriateness of prescribed medications. It was evident that the greater the practice of medication reconciliation services and the higher the educational level, the better the overall perception score (r = 0.416 and r = 0.366, respectively; P-value = 0.000 for both). 'Time constraint' was the primary barrier discouraging pharmacists from practicing such service. This study demonstrates a relatively low awareness of the concept and policy of medication reconciliation process among Jordanian pharmacists. This suggests that educational programs are urgently needed to increase pharmacists' role and responsibilities in implementing and practicing reconciliation services with expected positive impact on patient care.

An evaluation of the knowledge, opinions, expectations and concerns toward pharmacogenomics among Jordanian pharmacists.

To assess the knowledge of Jordanian pharmacists in pharmacogenomics, in addition to their attitudes, concerns, expectations and willingness to take further training. A survey was distributed face to face to pharmacists practicing in three Jordanian cities in different practice settings. A total of (128) questionnaires were collected. The mean knowledge score for all participants was 2.63 ± 1.13 out of 5. The mean score for bachelor degree holders was 2.71 ± 1.06, Doctor of Pharmacy holders 2.75 ± 1.07 and graduate level education 2.63 ± 1.51. Perceptions of pharmacogenomics were positive. Concerns involved issues regarding privacy and insurance coverage. Attitudes of pharmacists in Jordan toward pharmacogenomics were highly positive, although their general knowledge was relatively low. An updated educational system is needed.

Community pharmacists’ perceptions towards generic medicines and their opinions on future generic substitution policy implementation: A descriptive study from Jordan

The aim of this study was to explore Jordanian pharmacists’ perceptions towards generic medicines as well as to evaluate their opinions on generic substitution in order to introduce a future generic substitution policy in Jordan. A cross-sectional descriptive study involving community pharmacists in Amman-Jordan was undertaken, using a self-completed anonymous questionnaire. The sampling unit was community pharmacy, and the sampling frame was list of community pharmacies in Amman (N = 1252). Five hundred pharmacies were randomly selected to participate in this survey, and 294 pharmacists’ responses were collected giving a response rate of 58.8%. The majority of Jordanian pharmacists had a positive view on generic medicines in general with 87.7% of the respondents believing that a generic medicine is bio-equivalents to the originator. Two hundred and sixty-five pharmacists (90.1%) were in favour of implementing a compulsory generic prescribing policy. More than 80% of the pharmacists supported generic substitution in most cases. Generic substitution policy should be implemented; in addition, a formulary of interchangeable medicines must be developed to guide pharmacists’ decision making when performing generic substitution. Jordanian pharmacists were also in favour of introducing a compulsory generic prescribing legislation; however, such policy may have a negative impact on the local industry, as most of the produced medicines are branded generics.

Practice on generic medicine recommendation and dispensing among Jordanian pharmacists

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the percentage of generic inventory pharmacists have in stock, to comprehend why pharmacists in Jordan recommend and dispense generic products.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 104 pharmacists were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained statements about perception of generic products, inclination to recommend generic products, importance of promotions, factors influencing a recommendation, stock of generics, and among others. Correlational and discriminant analyses were used to establish associations between variables to distinguish characteristics between groups.FindingsMore than half of the Jordanian pharmacists sampled carry between 20 and 39 per cent stock of generic drugs and 46 per cent carry more than 40 per cent stock. One‐third (33 per cent) substitutes branded products by generic ones and slightly more (36 per cent) recommend more generic than branded products as opposed to those who recommend more branded products (24 per cent). Male pharmacists (49 per cent) tend to recommend more generic products than do females (24.6 per cent) and those who recommend more branded products are more influenced by sales visits rather than manufacturer's name or bonuses.Originality/valueThe paper provides valuable information about the pharmaceutical industry in Jordan and the empirical study adds insights from pharmacists about generic medicine.