Dispensing Of Medicines Research Articles

Observational evidence linking psychotropic medicines to the dispensing of opioid agents in later life.

The use of opioid medicines is common in developed countries, particularly among older adults and those with mental health disorders. It is unclear if the association between mental disorders and opioid medicines is causal, or is due to reverse causality or confounding. We used a 10% random sample of the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (years 2012-2022) to examine the cross-sectional, case-control and longitudinal association between the dispensing of antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, antipsychotics and lithium, and opioid medicines. We used logistic regression, structural equation models (SEM), and Cox regression to analyze the data. Analyses were adjusted for age (years), sex, and number of non-psychotropic medicines dispensed during the year. The 2022 file contained 804 334 individuals aged 50 years or over (53.1% women), of whom 181 690 (22.6%) received an opioid medicine. The adjusted odds ratio of being dispensed opioid medicines was 1.44 (99% CI = 1.42-1.46) for antidepressants, 1.97 (99% CI = 1.92-2.03) for anxiolytics, 1.55 (99% CI = 1.51-1.60) for hypnotics, 1.32 (99% CI = 1.27-1.38) for antipsychotics, and 0.60 (99% CI = 0.53-0.69) for lithium. Similar associations were noticed when we compared participants who were or not dispensed opioid medicines in 2022 for exposure to psychotropic agents between 2012 and 2021. SEM confirmed that this association was not due to reverse causality. The dispensing of antidepressants was associated with increased adjusted hazard (HR) of subsequent dispensing of opioid medicines (HR = 1.29, 99% CI = 1.27-1.30). Similar associations were observed for anxiolytics, hypnotics and antipsychotics, but not lithium. The dispensing of opioid medicines is higher among older individuals exposed to antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and antipsychotics than those who are not. These associations are not due to reverse causality or study design. Preventive strategies seeking to minimise the risk of inappropriate use of opioid medicines in later life should consider targeting this high-risk population.

ПРЕИМУЩЕСТВА И НЕДОСТАТКИ СИСТЕМЫ ЭЛЕКТРОННЫХ РЕЦЕПТОВ С ТОЧКИ ЗРЕНИЯ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКИХ РАБОТНИКОВ

Various electronic prescription systems are being developed both in Russia and around the world. For their effective implementation, it is necessary not only to bring regulatory and legal acts in line with modern technological innovations, but also to take into account the point of view of the users of such systems - patients, pharmacists and doctors. In order to identify the opinion of pharmacists about the current state of the system and their satisfaction, a survey was conducted. For this purpose, we used a questionnaire, tested for reliability (Cronbach's alpha measurement) and validity (Pearson correlation coefficient estimation). The results of the questionnaire, literature review, regulatory and legal documents allowed us to conduct a PEST-analysis with the establishment of political, economic, socio-cultural and technological factors that influence the system, as well as a SWOT-analysis with the identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the system. Its advantages, with which most of the interviewed specialists agree, include reduction of medical errors in prescribing, increased protection of users' personal data, contribution to the fight against fake prescriptions. Strengths include simplified pharmaceutical review of prescriptions, no need to analyze doctors' handwriting and simplified dispensing of medicines. Weaknesses include various technical failures, lack of or insufficient training. It is important to note that more than half (54%) of the surveyed pharmacists encounter difficulties when working with the system. In addition, recommendations for the improvement of this system were proposed, taking into account the data of sociological research, PEST-analysis and SWOT-analysis.

IoT Based Drug Delivery System

This IoT-based medicine dispenser system presents a smart medication management system designed to enhance user adherence and automate dispensing processes. This project proposes a NodeMCU and Arduino-based Drug Delivery System utilizing a buzzer, RTC DS3231 module, LCD display, IR sensor, and GSM technology. The system is designed to enhance medication adherence and patient care. The NodeMCU and Arduino facilitate seamless integration of components, while the RTC DS3231 module ensures precise timekeeping for medication schedules. An LCD display provides real-time information on dosage and timings. An IR sensor enables user interaction, allowing patients to confirm dosage retrieval. Additionally, a buzzer provides audible alerts for medication reminders. The incorporation of GSM technology allows remote monitoring and alerts for healthcare providers, ensuring efficient and timely drug delivery. This system aims to improve patient outcomes and simplify medication management.

The Making of a Health Profession: How Chinese Medicine Became a Nationally Registered Allied Health Profession in Australia

Abstract In 2012, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners in Australia became nationally-registered allied health professionals in three categories: acupuncturist, Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, and Chinese herbal medicine dispenser. Australia was the first Western country to introduce national registration for Chinese medicine, followed by Portugal and, recently, New Zealand. The practice of TCM in Australia can be traced back to the beginning of Chinese immigration to Australia during the Victorian Gold Rush which began in the 1850s. The process which led to national registration commenced in the early 1970s with the establishment of the first acupuncture courses. Decades of gradual development of courses from unaccredited part-time diplomas to accredited bachelor degrees, and the development, by the profession, of national consensus on educational standards were essential elements in the process which led to registration. Professional associations, such as the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd. (AACMA), also developed a framework of professional self-regulation, including Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, ongoing professional development requirements and Infection Control Guidelines, and provided leadership in the development of the profession. After decades of tribalism and division within the TCM profession, the National Academic Standards Committee brought almost all stakeholders together to reach a consensus on the Australian Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Education which were published by AACMA in 2001. Professional associations also collaborated on joint submissions to the government in support of registration, which was introduced first in the state of Victoria in 2000, and subsequently became national in 2012. Despite national registration, some barriers still remain, and professional associations continue to lobby the federal government for inclusion in Medicare, chronic disease management scheme, and Veterans Affairs.

Development of Smart Pill Expert System Based on IoT

An improved version of the smart pill expert system known as SPEC 2.0 is presented in this paper to give a knowledge of IoT in healthcare. At the designated moment, the system strives to accurately dispense the recommended dosage of medication. The user-friendly interface of SPEC 2.0 is one of its standout features since it makes it simple for people of all ages to utilize among all the smart medicine dispensers. The main objective of this system is to deliver control and monitoring capabilities via an android application, free of in-app purchases or subscriptions. Numerous features, including the capacity to send alerts and SMS messages regarding pill distribution, are included in the android application. With the help of this tool, users can keep on schedule with their medicine and receive frequent reminders. In order to successfully manage the issue of overdosage, the system lays a special emphasis on preventing the consumption of medication in excess amounts. Users of SPEC 2.0 can reduce their risk of adverse drug reactions by following the directions for dose intervals. Daily tests have been conducted to ensure that SPEC 2.0 works as intended, and thorough records have been kept of each test. These tests offer important information about the system's dependability and its capacity to deliver precise drug dosages on a regular basis. In conclusion, the improved smart pill expert system reveals its potential to dramatically increase medicine adherence and avoid any health concerns brought on by ingesting the wrong dosage.

Pedagogical Escape Room for Medicine Dispensing and Patient Counselling– Students’ Experiences from the Pilot

Pedagogical Escape Room for Medicine Dispensing and Patient Counselling– Students’ Experiences from the Pilot

Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal.

Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common. To explore knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Nepal. The study was conducted in three rural and five urban municipalities of the Kavrepalanchok district from May 2021 to August 2021. Data were collected using two qualitative approaches: In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis that combined deductive and inductive approaches to identify codes under pre-specified themes. A total of 16 In-depth interviews with medicine dispensers and 3 focus group discussions with community members were conducted. Knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance varied among dispensers. Those with a prior educational background in pharmacy often had good knowledge about the causes and consequences of antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile, consumers were less aware of antimicrobial resistance. Community members perceived antimicrobials as effective medicines but not long-term solution for treating diseases. They reported that dispensing without a prescription was common and that both consumers and dispensers were responsible for the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. On the contrary, several dispensers said that self-medication was common among the consumers, especially among more educated groups. The medicine dispensers and consumers expressed concerns about the weak enforcement of policies regarding pharmacy drug use and dispensing practices. Promoting and strengthening the appropriate use of antimicrobials among medicine dispensers and community members is crucial. Bold policies and collective implementation of regulations could help combat antimicrobial resistance.

Model‐based digital twins of medicine dispensers for healthcare IoT applications

SummaryHealthcare applications with the Internet of Things (IoT) are often safety‐critical, thus, require extensive testing. Such applications are often connected to smart medical devices from various vendors. System‐level testing of such applications requires test infrastructures physically integrating medical devices, which is time and monetary‐wise expensive. Moreover, applications continuously evolve, for example, introducing new devices and users and updating software. Nevertheless, a test infrastructure enabling testing with a few devices is insufficient for testing healthcare IoT systems, hence compromising their dependability. In this paper, we propose a model‐based approach for the creation and operation of digital twins (DTs) of medicine dispensers as a replacement for physical devices to support the automated testing of IoT applications at scale. We evaluate our approach with an industrial IoT system with medicine dispensers in the context of Oslo City and its industrial partners, providing healthcare services to its residents. We study the fidelity of DTs in terms of their functional similarities with their physical counterparts: medicine dispensers. Results show that the DTs behave more than 92% similar to the physical medicine dispensers, providing a faithful replacement for the dispenser.

Factors Associated With Ophthalmic Self Medication Among Adult Patients Attending Sabatia Eye Hospital in Vihiga County, Kenya

Background: Self-medication is the selection and use of non-prescription medicines by individuals’ own initiatives to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. Ophthalmic eye drugs are widely used by many people who trickle into drug stores for the most common and readily available eye drugs ignoring the potential danger they expose themselves to. Objectives: The study sought to determine socioeconomic factors associated with ophthalmic self-medication among adult patients attending Sabatia eye hospital in Vihiga County, Kenya. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The research was carried out at Sabatia eye hospital, Vihiga County, Kenya. The study population for this research was drawn from 322 patients seeking eye services at the study site. Systematic sampling method was used to select the study subject. The study used structured questionnaires to collect data though interviews and analysis was done using SPSS version 25 and results presented in proportions using tables and graphs. Results: A total of 322 respondents were included into the study which is 101.9% of the 316 participants targeted. Majority of males (49.6%) said they self-medicated because of due to long hospital queues. Respondents aged 40-69 years are more likely to use traditional herbs to treat eye illnesses. Those with college or degree level of education (11.5%) are more likely to self-medicate with antibiotics. Most of the respondents 51.6% presenting with redness of eyes are likely to use antibiotics, while those with trauma 41.8% reported use of drug left overs and were less likely to seek hospital treatment. Those aged 60-69 years reported use of milk as a mode of treatment while the ones aged 18-29 years (8.6%) reported distance as a factor leading to self-medication Recommendations: Health Providers should have quality time with patient coupled with proper counseling on use of drugs as this is regarded as one of the essential components of the overall medicine use process. Rules and regulations on dispensing of medicines from pharmacies should be reinforced and train and employ more eye health workers

Prescription, Dispensing, and Rational Medicine Use in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract Background: Rational use of medicine in a teaching hospital is critical for effective and efficient patient care. This study assessed prescription, dispensing, and rational medicine in a Nigerian tertiary care facility. Materials and Method: This was an analytic cross-sectional study with data collected using validated tools underpinned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) core indicators for prescription, patient care, and facility. A cluster sample of 10 specialist clinics and servicing pharmacies were selected. Simple random sampling was deployed to retrieve 600 medicine prescriptions in the pharmacies over a six-month period (June 1, 2021–November 30, 2021). Patient care indicators were assessed using 330 patient encounters, and 48 prescribers across the 10 clinics were randomly selected for assessing factors influencing prescribing practices. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were conducted with SPSS version 25, and findings were compared with WHO/INRUD recommendations. Results: The mean medicine count per visit was 3.4 ± 1.9 with 40.2% and 24.8% of prescriptions containing antibiotics and injections, respectively. Nonproprietary prescriptions were 43.6% and 97.1% of medicines prescribed were contained the essential medicines list (EML). The mean times spent were 17.5 ± 8.0 and 7.7 ± 3.8 min with prescribers and dispensers, respectively. Most (99.8%) of the dispensed medicines were labeled properly while 82% of patients knew the regimen. Most (93.3%) tracer medicines were in the pharmacies, but no clinic had copies of the EML. Significant differences in prescription and patient care indicators were reported across specialty units. Conclusion: Gaps exist in medicine prescription and dispensing. The preponderance of brand prescription, polypharmacy, and antibiotic prescription calls for implementation of extant policies and guidelines on the use of medicines as well as training and monitoring on rational medicine use among prescribers and dispensers in the teaching hospital.

Patients’ perspectives and experiences with the national e-prescribing service and transfer of pharmaceutical services to community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia

Background and purposeThe Wasfaty (My e-prescription) service, introduced recently and continuously expanding, is a national service for e-prescribing and dispensing medicines in Saudi Arabia. This service introduced e-prescriptions and transferred the dispensing of medicines and pharmacy services from public primary healthcare facilities to community pharmacies. This study aimed to assess patients’ perspectives on and experiences with the service. MethodsThis nationwide, cross-sectional study used a web-based survey. The study population comprised the general public of Saudi Arabia aged ≥18 years. The invitation to participate in the study and link to the survey were distributed electronically through several electronic platforms. ResultsA total of 718 individuals participated in the study (66.30 % women). Most participants were satisfied with the e-prescriptions and Wasfaty services (n = 571; 79.53 %), preferred e-prescriptions over traditional paper prescriptions (n = 576; 80.22%), and found it easier to renew their e-prescriptions and refill their medicines using the community pharmacy's Wasfaty services, which saved time on re-appointments with physicians (n = 568; 79.11 %). Moreover, most participants indicated that there were sufficient community pharmacies to provide Wasfaty services near their area of residence (n = 558; 77.72 %) and agreed that community pharmacists provided adequate medication counseling (n = 560; 77.99 %) and advice on disease monitoring at home (n = 468; 65.18 %). However, only 355 (49.44 %) participants indicated that community pharmacies had suitable areas for private medication counseling. Furthermore, only 40.11 % (n = 288) of the participants mentioned that they never or rarely visited more than one pharmacy to obtain all their prescribed medicines using the e-prescription service. Finally, 634 (88.30 %) participants suggested adding more medicines and therapeutic options to service coverage and ensuring the availability of medicines in pharmacies. ConclusionMost participants had positive views regarding e-prescriptions and the accessibility of the community pharmacies providing this service. However, further improvements must be made to pharmacy facilities (particularly patient care areas), advanced pharmacy services, and the availability of all medicines in the community pharmacies participating in e-prescription services.

Effect of a closed-loop medication order executive system on safe medication administration at a tertiary hospital: a quasi-experimental study.

Closed-loop electronic medication management systems are effective measures for preventing medication errors (MEs). However, there is limited evidence supporting this, and few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of these systems on safe medication. To evaluate the long-term effects of implementing a closed-loop medication order executive system on the safe clinical use of medications. A quasi-experimental design. Data from 2017 to 2023 were extracted and retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome indicator was the ME rate. Secondary outcome indicators were the accuracy of order verification and patient identification and the implementation rate of fresh medicine dispensing. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model in time-series analysis was used to evaluate the level and trend changes in ME rates using SPSS 25.0 before and after system implementation. Root cause analysis and descriptive statistics were used to assess changes in types, stages, and causes of ME rates. The independent samples t-test was used to analyze secondary outcomes. Overall, 295 MEs were reported with a mean of 0.26 ± 0.26 ME rates per month during 2017-2023. The ARIMA model showed a decrease in the average level of ME rates after system implementation, with no statistically significant decrease in the long term, and a significant drop in the ME rate in the short and medium term (p < 0.01). Nurses' administration accounted for more than 60% of errors post-implementation, and lack of communication was a prominent factor. The accuracy of order verification and patient identification and the implementation rate of fresh medicine dispensing all increased after implementation. Adopting a closed-loop executive system is beneficial for ensuring patient medication safety, but a single integrated system does not completely eliminate MEs. Optimizing system functionalities and applying structured handoff tools are recommended to meet clinical needs and enhance system usability.

Barcode system applied to medical prescriptions

In this paper the results and methodology for development of a barcode system applied to health sector are showing. The project main objective is generating medical prescriptions with a barcode to make the medicine identification assigned by the specialist easier and optimize the issuance process for the patient. It is necessary to access a database of basic plan medications to generate the physical document of the medical prescription. The previous information as a first project stage, considering to the future linking this system to automatic medicine dispenser devices install in different spaces into health institutions and public areas and thus, reduce the waiting times and avoid the spaces saturation for expand the access to these services to entire population.

Pharmacist’s Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Towards Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patient in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Although pharmacists have traditionally been involved in dispensing medications and providing patient counseling, there is mounting evidence that they may improve the clinical and humanistic outcomes for people with diabetes via a variety of supplementary services. The objective of the study is to determine the Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacist’s in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia about Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted at Department of Pharmacy, King Salman Armed forces hospital, Tabuk Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 110 study participants were included in the study. Data was collected with the help of a predesigned questionnaire containing closed ended questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists toward type II diabetic patients care. Data entry and analysis was done with the help of SPSS version 25. Results: In this study 69.10% of the pharmacists were strongly agree/agree on their prominent role in diabetic patient care. About 77.30% pharmacists were strongly agree/agree for the fact that prescribing physicians are the only professionals who need to understand and 86.40% were strongly agree/agree that pharmacist role can improve diabetic patient care. Among pharmacists 60% were strongly agree/agree for that fact that their role can minimize the medications related complaints. Attitude and practice towards medicine dispensing and related aspect of dispensing were aligned to the standard protocols in their hospital. i.e. screening of prescription, collaboration and communication with health professional/prescriber, education of the patients, participating in workshops related to diabetic patient care and counseling of patients. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that pharmacists had good knowledge, attitude and practice towards their basic dispensing role for type II diabetic patients. But they were full aware of their extended role which can be helpful for ......

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dispensing medicines in the community pharmacy.

The world has faced an unprecedented challenge since COVID-19 emerged as a pandemic, which has led to quarantine and disruptions in drug services. During the pandemic, drug use habits and availability changed, causing a shift in behaviors and, in turn, medicine misuse. In Iraq, this is a major problem because many medicines can be easily obtained. The study aims to describe the pattern of dispensing medications during the pandemic and to evaluate the biochemical and pathological consequences. The analytical, observational, cross-sectional study was performed via a compiled questionnaire for 400 random pharmacists, and the analysis and interpretation of the biochemical and medical reports. Results revealed that dispensing of medications since the COVID-19 outbreak has increased by 74%, and the demand for medicines seems higher than required in comparison to the periods before the pandemic, while 60% of the dispensed medicines were taken just in case needed. In addition, the availability of medicines decreased by 61%, and the dispensing of common medicines increased due to the belief in their prophylactic action. Several biochemical abnormalities and pathological consequences were recorded due to the irrational use of medicines, and the highest percentage (12%) was seen in hepatic and liver enzymatic dysfunction and 8% for the endocrine and hormonal abnormalities. It can be concluded that most of the dispensed medicines were not used on a therapeutic or scientific basis during the pandemic.

Assessment of community pharmacies readiness to dispense antiretroviral medicines in Rwanda.

Since the introduction of the 'Test and treat' approach in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) management, various strategies have been devised and implemented by countries to relieve public health facilities of the large numbers of people coming for medicine refills and clinical follow-up. One of the strategies is the dispensing of antiretroviral medicines through community pharmacies. In Rwanda, community pharmacies are not yet involved in antiretrovirals (ARVs) dispensing, and no study has assessed their readiness to provide this service. This study aimed to assess the readiness of community pharmacy staff and infrastructure to implement a decentralised model of antiretroviral medicines dispensing. This cross-sectional study included data from 262 community pharmacies sampled across all districts of Rwanda. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, from February to March 2023. Responses were received for 262 community pharmacies, representing the total sample size. Data analysis was done using quantitative descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Frequency tables and graphs were produced using STATA15 and the outputs were exported to MS Excel as well as MS Word to allow document framing and designing. The research has shown a high proportion of community pharmacy staff trained in HIV prevention (82.4% trained on HIV testing), but a low level of training in treatment (30.5%) and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (29.8%). Infrastructure and storage conditions were found to be adequate, with 99.6% of surveyed Pharmacies having sufficient storage space. Majority (93.9%) expressed their willingness to dispense ARVs in the pharmacy premises. A large number of respondents (92.4%) felt that dispensing of antiretroviral medicines through community pharmacies would lead to an increase in sales of over the counter and other non-HIV related medicines. The main anticipated challenge that should be addressed to ensure effective implementation is the lack of interoperability between reporting systems used by community pharmacies and those used by health facilities providing HIV services (76.7% of respondents). Community pharmacies in Rwanda have majority of staff trained in various areas of HIV prevention, but a small proportion have been trained in HIV care and treatment. Community pharmacies have the necessary infrastructure to dispense ARVs, and those with shortcomings, such as the lack of a separate room for individual patient counselling, are willing to obtain such a room if they are authorised to dispense ARVs. Staffs are willing to dispense ARVs in community pharmacies if the model is recommended by policymakers. The model could have several benefits for community pharmacies and the public health system in general, but there are also challenges that should be mitigated to ensure effective implementation. The staff willingness and expected benefits constitute enabling factors that the Ministry of Health and the national HIV control programme may leverage to prepare for introducing the model of ARVs distribution through community pharmacies.

QRxPERT: Automated Medicine Dispensing Machine with QR Code-Enabled Medication Counselling

QRxPERT aims to tackle chronic illnesses and medication non-compliance by integrating smart medication counseling and AI-enabled drug dispensers, with the help of a Smart Health Card. Patients can effortlessly scan QR codes on medication labels, unlocking a wealth of information instantly available at their fingertips. This includes vital details such as dosage instructions, potential side effects, and other pertinent information crucial for informed and effective self-management. QRxPERT’s AI-enabled drug Dispenser uses advanced machine learning and an RFID chip to accurately dispense medication, reducing human error and preventing medication non-compliance. This dispenser is designed to significantly reduce the margin of error in medication administration, ensuring that patients receive the precise dosage required. This not only enhances the efficacy of treatment but also serves as a robust preventative measure against medication non-compliance. The SMART HEALTH CARD also sends Reminder Messages to Mobile Phones, Regarding Tablets/Medication to take according to dose Interval given by DOCTORS. In conclusion, QRxPERT is a revolutionary healthcare innovation that integrates advanced technology to improve medication management and adherence, by offering smart medication counseling and AI-enabled drug dispensers.

Variability of pharmaceutical provisión to nursing homes from hospital pharmacy services

ObjectiveTo analyse the situation and the possible variability of pharmaceutical provision to public nursing homes included in the “Project pilot” from hospital pharmacy services of the Andalusian Health Service. MethodCross-sectional multicenter study. A questionnaire of 36 questions including: nursing homes characteristics, legislation, pharmacotherapeutic guide and prescription, preparation and transport, dispensation, administration, pharmaceutical activity and healthcare data. ResultsWe included 13 nursing homes. Everyone had a medicines store. All dispensed in individualized unit dose. Three nursing homes did not have a work space for the pharmacist. The pharmacist did not move to the nursing home in three of them. ConclusionsAlthough there is some variability in the pharmaceutical provision to nursing homes included in the “Pilot Project”, we have identified strengths such as the dispensing of medicines as unit dose system and opportunities to improve such as the increase of the pharmacist's presence in nursing homes.

Evaluating healthcare professionals’ perceptions of dispensing separation and sale of pharmacy medicine in Brunei Darussalam

BackgroundPharmacy medicine (P) is obtained exclusively from a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. This study aims to understand the perception of healthcare professionals towards the dispensing separation, as well as the dispensing of pharmacy medicine by community pharmacies to enhance patient health outcomes in Brunei Darussalam.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st March 2023 and 20th April 2023 among healthcare professionals. A newly designed and validated questionnaire was used. Its face and content validity, along with internal consistency, was adequately established. Convenient sampling was employed to recruit participants for the study. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA was performed, considering a p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant.ResultsThe study compiled data from 108 participants, comprising doctors (38.9%) and pharmacy technicians (45.4%). Approximately 28.7% of respondents had 11–20 years of healthcare experience, while 25.9% had less than 5 years. Nearly all respondents (98.1%) agreed on the vital role pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play in prescription checks. A significant number of participants (93.5%) agreed that Brunei’s current medicine dispensing system needs improvement. The mean total score for the perception of medicine dispensing in Brunei was 3.79 ± 1.103. A statistically significant difference was found between the perception score and the respondents’ profession (p = 0.018), but not with their age, experience, or place of work. Respondents’ awareness score showed no statistically significant correlation with their profession, age, experience, or place of work.ConclusionThe study underscores the necessity for more patient-centered care in community pharmacies in Brunei Darussalam. The country’s healthcare professionals should recognize the potential advantages of expanding pharmacy services. However, to implement these services successfully, regulatory restrictions and infrastructure limitations must be addressed.

Community Pharmacies in the Asian Countries of Developing Health System: Formation, Regulation, and Implication.

Community pharmacies (CPs) in Asian countries are often the first point of contact for patients withinthe healthcare system and their preferred place to purchase medicines. The number of CPs may vary across Asian countries, and each country has developed its own design and functioning. The regulatory environment plays a crucial role in shaping and governing CPs. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review in order to enhance understanding of the establishment and regulation of CPs. By undertaking this review, the researchers, policymakers, and practitioners sought to gain a deeper insight into the performance and functions of CPs and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. Moreover, this review shed light on implementation strategies, effects on patient outcomes, and the barriers and challenges associated with their establishment. A narrative literature review method was adopted with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Significant disparities can be observed when comparing the stated intentions of regulations with their actual implementation. Recently, there has been an inclusion of public health practices. Unfortunately, pharmacy procedures conducted in such environments have been characterized by inadequate understanding and inappropriate care. This poor performance can be attributed to employees' focus on maximizing profits. Several shortcomings can arise, including incomplete patient history documentation, failure to refer patients who require medical attention, unauthorized dispensing of prescription-only medicines (POM), dispensing clinically inappropriate or excessive medication doses, selling incomplete antibiotic courses, and inadequate information and counseling services. Regulatory interventions can help strengthen these services.