Pharmacy Policy Research Articles

The relationship between pharmacy licensing policies on clinical training (CT) and success rates for international pharmacists (IPs) within Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States: A comparative policy analysis

Introduction: In October 2018, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada released a report showing that only 41.1% of international pharmacists pass the Pharmacy Qualifying Examination, compared to 91% of Canadian graduates. When compared to the United Kingdom and United States, Canada has the lowest success rates for the integration of international pharmacists. Aim: This study aims to address two questions: What are the professional pharmacy policies governing the clinical training resources for international pharmacists within their host country? What can Canada learn from other Western countries to facilitate the integration of international pharmacists? Method: A comparative policy analysis was used to draw comparisons between Canada’s regulatory policies governing the pharmacy license to other similar models in the United Kingdom and United States. Results: Upon examining current integration systems in these countries, differences in training period requirements and competencies became apparent. Therefore, the findings suggest that Canadian stakeholders can learn from other models’ legislation, structure, and clinical outcome prospects.

“The gatekeepers in prevention”: Community pharmacist perceptions of their role in the opioid epidemic

Background: Community pharmacists are at the frontline of patient care, yet their role in the opioid epidemic remains unclear. This qualitative study examines the perception of community pharmacists about their role in the opioid epidemic and challenges to fulfilling this role. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from an Indiana census of community managing pharmacists was conducted. Qualitative data were coded using a priori and emergent themes. A priori categories included the perceived role of pharmacists in the opioid epidemic and perception of practice barriers. Results: A total of 215 Indiana community managing pharmacists participated in this study. Pharmacists understood themselves as gatekeepers in preventing opioid misuse and overdose. Reported pharmacy practices included providing patient education and communicating with prescribers. Challenges to fulfilling this role included pharmacy structure and operation, lack of patient and provider clarity about pharmacist scope of practice, and pharmacist perception that that there is no available discretionary time to support additional services. Conclusion: Pharmacists believe they have a vital role in combatting opioid misuse and overdose but are hampered by structural aspects of pharmacy practice and lack of recognition of their role. Pharmacy associations and policy partners are encouraged to identify opportunities to address these barriers.

Transitioning From Consult-Based to Automatic Pharmacy-Driven Vancomycin Management: Results From a Single, Primary Care Center

Objective: The transition to area under the curve (AUC) vancomycin monitoring requires substantial updates in pharmacy policies and procedures. The study facility was tasked with transitioning from a consult-based collaborative agreement to an automatic pharmacist management policy on all intravenous (IV) vancomycin orders. The purpose of this quality assessment (QA) study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this transition. Methods: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with pharmacist assessment of pharmacokinetics and dosing with documentation in IV vancomycin treated patients from January-June 2020. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of AUC24 levels within therapeutic range, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and treatment failures in patients treated ≥72 hours compared to a historical, trough-based cohort. Results: There were 88 patients in the QA analysis with 100% having a pharmacist assessment with documentation. There were 34 patients treated ≥72 hours in the AUC group, 36 in the trough-based group. AUC24 fell within desired range in 45% of monitored patients. Rates of AKI (9% vs 11%, p = 0.75) and treatment failures were similar (3% vs 0%, p = 0.3). Conclusion: The transition from consult-based to an automatic pharmacy management agreement was successful with similar safety and efficacy compared to a historical trough-based cohort.

A Novel Approach to Pharmacy Practice Law Instruction.

Pharmacy law instruction is often taught as a didactic course; however practical application of pharmacy law is a main component of pharmacy practice. Technology-based simulations are becoming more frequently used to enhance didactic pharmacy education. The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of and student perceptions on the usefulness of MyDispense community pharmacy simulation for additional law instruction that if successful might prompt curricular revamping. This Institutional Review Board–approved, two-year, qualitative, prospective, survey study was conducted in a case study class where students completed MyDispense exercises focused on common legal issues that arise in practice, both individually before and within groups during class. Participating students completed a qualitative survey directed at use of MyDispense for pharmacy law review, which included a series of close-ended questions graded on a Likert scale and open-ended questions thematically grouped. Thirty-eight (41%) and twenty-eight (31%) students completed surveys in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The majority of respondents felt exercises improved their understanding of pharmacy laws, focused on challenging areas, and were more interesting than additional lectures. However, certain topics were reported as irrelevant based on practice experiences or not ideal for simulation, and students desired exercises on state laws versus pharmacy policies. Students reported the MyDispense simulation exercises helped them to recall pharmacy laws and focus on topics that were challenging. These study results prompted curricular revamping to incorporate MyDispense throughout the curriculum for practice in recognizing and solving legal scenarios, along with didactic course changes.

"Pharmacy to Dose": An Approach to Enhancing Team-Based Care.

Inspiring Inquiry and Improvement in Pharmacy Practice, Education, and Policy. A quarterly publication featuring case studies, clinical experiences, commentaries, idea papers, original research, review articles, and student projects that focus on leading edge, novel ideas for improving, modernizing, and advancing pharmacy practice, education, and policy. INNOVATIONS in pharmacy.

Factors promoting self-medication and irrational use of opioids in chronic non-malignant pain management in Pakistan: A qualitative in-depth investigation

Abstract Introduction In many Lower and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) people self-medicate, with non-prescription and prescription drugs both of which are easily available over the counter (1). One of the most common causes for self-medication is chronic pain (2). The role of community pharmacists becomes critical especially in LMICs where medicines are freely available and pharmacists are directly involved in supply of opioid medicines. Unresolved, prolonged chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP) may lead to self-medication with opioid analgesics and can cause irrational use of opioids. The complications of self-medication with opioids are vast in terms of both scarce resources and adverse clinical consequences such as adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and mortality associated with the diversion from intended use of opioid medicines. Self- medication with opioid analgesics in LMICs have not been explored before. Aim This study was designed to explore the factors that might contribute in promoting self-medication and irrational opioid medicine use in CNMP management and exploring potential roles of community pharmacists in stopping/avoiding self-medication with opioids in one LMIC, Pakistan. Method Qualitative interviews involving various stakeholders such as pharmacy policy makers (n=10) and people suffering from CNMP (n=12) were conducted. Additionally, focus groups were conducted with community pharmacists (n=38) and doctors (n=30). A semi-structured interview guide was drafted after an extensive literature review and was used for individual interviews and focus groups for each stakeholder respectively. The study duration was from December 2019 to July 2020. Critical case sampling, a type of purposive sampling, was done in order to promote applicability to other cases. Data was analysed using a CAQDAS software N-vivo 12, using thematic analysis. Ethical approval was obtained. Results Non-availability of community pharmacists in all pharmacies and lack of medication review services are amongst the major factors that are contributing towards self-medication of opioid medicines. Additionally, lack of awareness of people about opioid medicines and absence of strict laws regarding sale of opioid medicines under a valid prescription allows easy availability and promotes aberrant drug seeking behaviour. These factors contribute towards people not seeking professional health care services for the management of CNMP and continue self-medicating with opioid medicines. As a result, they do not get effective analgesic relief and waste limited financial resources. The major themes and sub-themes are presented in Table 1. Conclusion Self-medication with opioid medicines can cause irrational, inappropriate, and ineffective use of medicines and can additionally burden the limited financial resources available for health care needs. This in-depth exploratory study identifies many barriers that can promote self-medication with opioids and recognises a need for a multi-faceted intervention involving community pharmacists to promote rational opioid medicine use. However, major limitations of the proposed intervention identified from this study are the absence of integrated health systems and under-utilisation of community pharmacy workforce. The government needs to invest in infrastructure development, develop new health policies regarding medicine sale and build the role and capacity of pharmacy workforce to perform specialised roles in public safety especially in opioid medicines.

Factors influencing availability of tracer essential medicines in selected health facilities in Nyeri County, Kenya

Background: Tracer essential medicines are drugs which fully fulfil a population’s health requirements and ought to be always available allowing for a properly functioning health system all the time. They should be available in the appropriate dosage, adequate amounts and at assured quality at a price that many people and the community can easily afford.Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study design was used. This study utilized a mixed method approach (qualitative, observation and quantitative).Results: The study found out that artemether lumefantrine was the least available drug at 50% in all the sampled facilities with KEMSA cited as the main supplier of tracer essential medicines in these facilities. Policy formulation was done without any involvement of pharmacy in-charges and policies passed at the county management team merely passed onto the staff at the health facilities without their engagement.Conclusions: With the roll out of UHC program, majority of the participants indicated an increase in the availability of essential drugs in Nyeri County hence the government should roll out the program countrywide. Health management and leadership teams in the county needs to engage the pharmacy in-charges during policy making and changes, provide efficient communication in the supply chain system, including proper inventory management systems and to enhance research of drugs and emerging diseases in the county.

Strengthening pandemic preparedness through pharmacy and public health collaborations: Findings from a facilitated discussion exercise

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists are key partners to public health agencies during pandemics and other emergencies. Community pharmacy and public health agencies can establish memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for dispensing and administering medical countermeasures and providing related services to affected population(s) during a public health incident. ObjectiveThe objective of this facilitated discussion exercise was to identify the strengths and opportunities associated with the activation of a statewide pharmacy–public health agencies MOU with community pharmacists on the basis of a simulated pandemic influenza event. MethodsA facilitated discussion exercise was held in the Puget Sound region of the State of Washington in May 2017. The participants included pharmacists from 2 community pharmacy organizations, emergency preparedness officials from 2 local health departments and the state health department, staff of the state pharmacy association, and faculty from a school of pharmacy. The evaluators recorded the discussions and observations, augmented by a postexercise telephone call with participants from each of the participating community pharmacy organizations. Key themes from the exercise are reported. ResultsFive themes were identified during the facilitated discussion exercise. Two themes described the strengths of the MOU and its operational plan: (1) collaboration strengthens preparedness and response planning, and (2) an MOU provides a framework for effective collaboration. Three themes acknowledged the opportunities to optimize activation of the existing MOU: (1) early and active engagement between health department personnel and community pharmacists, (2) establishing pharmacy policies and procedures to support readiness and response, and (3) addressing the training or other educational needs of community pharmacists. ConclusionThis exercise provided community pharmacists and public health agency personnel an opportunity to better plan for responding to a pandemic. The open dialogue in this facilitated discussion allowed the exercise participants to identify the strengths, priorities, and perspectives as well as the gaps in the MOU operational plan. The lessons learned in this exercise can inform the community pharmacy and public health response to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

OP414 The Influence Of Cost-Effectiveness Evidence And Other Factors On China's National Reimbursement Drug Listing Decisions

IntroductionChina's National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) covers medicines that are included in national health insurance schemes. NRDL updates take into account evidence and recommendations of experts from the fields of medicine, health economics, pharmacy and health policy. A negotiation mechanism between the government and manufacturers was introduced in 2017 to include a more detailed evaluation and negotiation for high cost drugs. However, the values that are considered in NRDL decision making are not well-understood. This study aims to investigate the influence of available evidence and other factors on coverage decisions.MethodsOutcomes of the 2017 and 2018 NRDL negotiations were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with listing decisions. Ordinary least squares and Tobit regression were used to investigate factors associated with negotiated price discounts. Independent variables were published cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), disease area, burden of disease (disability-adjusted life years), company ownership (domestic or foreign) and regulatory approval year.ResultsTwenty-eight out of sixty-two negotiated drugs had one or more published CEA studies in the English or Chinese language, although neither the presence of a study nor the central ICER estimates were predictive of price discount or listing. A longer time since regulatory approval was a significant predictor of listing (p < 0.05). Disease area (oncology) and ownership (foreign) were significant predictors of a higher price discount (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe NRDL plays a key role in providing access to healthcare for the 95 percent of China's population that is covered by public insurance. We found several factors that were associated with reimbursement decisions. Many of the medicines in the NRDL negotiation have CEA evidence, although the role of CEA in reimbursement decision making in China remains inconclusive.

Cigarettes smoked among daily and non-daily smokers following CVS Health’s tobacco-free pharmacy policy

IntroductionIn September 2014, CVS Health ceased tobacco sales in all of its 7700 pharmacies nationwide. We investigate the impact of the CVS policy on the number of cigarettes smoked per...

Highlights From the Circulation Family of Journals.

Highlights From the Circulation Family of Journals.

Behind closed doors: What happens when pharmacies close?

Behind closed doors: What happens when pharmacies close?

Naloxone availability and dispensing in Indiana pharmacies 2 years after the implementation of a statewide standing order

ObjectivesThis study examined changes in rates of pharmacy naloxone stocking and dispensing in Indiana between 2016 and 2018 and explored supplemental variables and factors that may have affected observed differences. MethodsResearchers used data from 2 existing datasets that were collected from managing pharmacists who responded to statewide pharmacy censuses in 2016 and 2018. After identifying all cases in which a pharmacy’s managing pharmacist responded in both 2016 and 2018 censuses, researchers conducted a nonparametric statistical comparison of naloxone stocking and dispensing rates in 107 Indiana pharmacies. Additional descriptive data regarding naloxone-related pharmacy policies and educational programs during those years were collected in 2019 from pharmacy corporations operating food stores or chain pharmacies in Indiana and from the Indiana Pharmacists Association. ResultsPharmacy stocking and dispensing in Indiana increased from 2016 to 2018. In 2016, 57% of pharmacies reported stocking naloxone compared with 92.5% in 2018 (P < 0.001). Similarly, 23.4% of pharmacies reported dispensing naloxone in 2016 compared with 76.6% of pharmacies in 2018 (P < 0.001). All responding pharmacy corporations and the state pharmacy association reported offering self-directed volunteer-training programs regarding naloxone since 2016. In addition, they reported that company policy and procedures regarding naloxone were put into place in response to the 2016 statewide standing order. ConclusionPharmacy naloxone stocking and dispensing increased in the 2 years after the statewide standing order was issued. The effect of the order itself was likely moderated or mediated by corporate responses to the law. Research examining the impact of naloxone-availability policies on pharmacy practice and patient incomes should longitudinally examine data after policy implementation and with covariates that include type of pharmacy (e.g., chain or independent), location, and opioid overdose–associated mortality rates.

Regulating pharmacists as contraception providers: A qualitative study from Coastal Kenya on injectable contraception provision to youth.

Young people worldwide are often reticent to access family planning services from public health facilities: instead, they choose to get contraception from private, retail pharmacies. In Kenya, certain contraceptives are available in pharmacies: these include injectables, which can be dispensed but not administered, according national guidelines. However, Kenya struggles with enforcement of its pharmacy regulations and addressing illegal activity. Therefore, in this qualitative study, we assessed private pharmacies as an existing source of injectable contraception for young Kenyans (age 18-24), and investigated the perceived quality of service provision. This study used: focus group discussions (6) with young community members; in-depth interviews (18) with youth who had purchased contraception from pharmacies; key informant interviews with pharmacy personnel and pharmacy stakeholders (25); and a mystery shopper (visiting 45 pharmacies). The study found that for injectable contraception, private pharmacies had expanded to service provision, and pharmacy personnel's roles had transcended formal or informal training previously received-young people could both purchase and be injected in many pharmacies. Pharmacies were perceived to lack consistent quality or strong regulation, resulting in young clients, pharmacy personnel, and regulators being concerned about illegal activity. Participants' suggestions to improve pharmacy service quality and regulation compliance focused on empowering consumers to demand quality service; strengthening regulatory mechanisms; expanding training opportunities to personnel in private pharmacies; and establishing a quality-based 'brand' for pharmacies. Kenya's recent commitments to universal health coverage and interest in revising pharmacy policy provide an opportunity to improve pharmacy quality. Multi-pronged initiatives with both public and private partners are needed to improve pharmacy practice, update and enforce regulations, and educate the public. Additionally, the advent of self-administrable injectables present a new possible role for pharmacies, and could offer young clients a clean, discreet place to self-inject, with pharmacy personnel serving as educators and dispensers.

Stress Factors Impact on Pharmacist Job Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia

PTB Reports,2019,5,3,102-107.DOI:10.5530/PTB.2019.5.19Published:August 2019Type:Research ArticleAuthors:Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Faiz A. Bahadig Rph, Khurram Shahzad, Saima Qaism, Budoor Emad Aloumi, Bayan Ibrahim Alghuraybi, and Reem Saad Alsubaie Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, The Former General Manager of General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Former Head, National Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Former Head, Pharmacy R&D Administration, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Faiz A. Bahadig Rph, Informatics Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdul-Aziz Medical, City-WR-Jeddah, Ministry of National Guard, SAUDI ARABIA. Khurram Shahzad, Senior Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City-Jeddah, Ministry of National Guard, SAUDI ARABIA. Saima Qaism, Senior Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City-Jeddah, Ministry of National Guard, SAUDI ARABIA. Budoor Emad Aloumi, Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Services, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs. KAMC - Central Region, SAUDI ARABIA. Bayan Ibrahim Alghuraybi, Pharmacy Services, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Reem Saad Alsubaie, Pharmacy Services, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Purpose: To explore the stress factors impact of pharmacist job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a 4-months cross section survey of the stress factors impact of pharmacist job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of 44 questions divided into two-part demographic information and the second part was the questions about stress related factors of pharmacy job. It included pharmacy management policies, pharmacy stress factors, pharmacy personal time, salary and benefits, pharmacy motivation factors, overall job satisfaction. The 5-points Likert response scale system closed ended questions were used. Results: The total responders were 242. Of those 214 (91.8 %) was Saudi and 33 (8.2%) was non-Saudi. The gender distribution 169 (70.7%) 55.8%) was male and 70 (29.3%) was female. The average pharmacist satisfaction score of pharmacy management policies factors was (3.53), personal pharmacy time was (3.14) and salary and benefits were (2.45) as explored in Table 4. The average score of pharmacy stress factors were (3.86) and the overall job satisfaction was (3.61) as explored in Table 5. The most pharmacy motivation factors found were the financial reward and salary advancement was 201 (87.01%), followed by the time needed for education and training was 144 (62.3%) and flexibility in work scheduling was 136 (58.87%) as explored in Table 6. Conclusion: The majority of pharmacists suffered from pharmacy salary and benefits and time demand for development and education. Those factors were essential of motivation factors related to the pharmacy job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. Keywords:Factors, Job, Pharmacy, Satisfaction, Saudi Arabia, StressView:PDF (229.17 KB) PDF PDF Images The pharmacist’s motivations factors.

Factors of Pharmacy Practice on Pharmacy Technician Job Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia

Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biomedical Reports,2019,5,3,145-150.DOI:10.5530/PTB.2019.5.27Published:August 2019Type:Research ArticleAuthors:Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Faiz A. Bahadig Rph, Bayan Ibrahim Alghuraybi, Budoor Emad Aloumi, and Reem Saad Alsubaie Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, The Former General Manager of General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Former Head, National Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Former Head, Pharmacy R&D Administration, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Faiz A. Bahadig Rph, Informatics Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Department, King Abdul-Aziz Medical, City-WR-Jeddah, Ministry of National Guard, SAUDI ARABIA. Bayan Ibrahim Alghuraybi, Pharmacy Services, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Budoor Emad Aloumi, Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Care Services, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs. KAMC - Central Region, SAUDI ARABIA. Reem Saad Alsubaie, Pharmacy Services, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Purpose: To explore the Pharmacy practice factors on pharmacy technician job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a 4-months cross-section survey of the stress factors impact of pharmacy technician job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of 35 questions divided into two-part demographic information and the second part consisted of three parts. Part one was about stress-related factors of pharmacy job. It included pharmacy management policies, pharmacy stress factors, pharmacy personal time, salary and benefits, pharmacy motivation factors. Part two included the questions about pharmacy services units of pharmacy job. It included pharmacy management structure, dispersing and patient education, clinical pharmacy services, pharmacy technology, pharmacy store and overall job satisfaction. Part three questions consisted of communication and relationships factors of pharmacy technician job. It included pharmacy supervisors, relationship with coworkers and pharmacist interaction with other healthcare providers, customer interaction and overall job satisfaction. The questionnaire was made as an electronic format and it analyzed through survey monkey system about part one about pharmacy services units of pharmacy technician job. Results: The total responders were 96. The gender distribution 83 (86.46%) were males and 13 (13.54%) were females. The majority of them 86 (89.58%) were in age group (20-39 years). The average pharmacy technician satisfaction score of pharmacy management structure was (3.14), clinical pharmacy technician activities was (3.16), pharmacy technician satisfaction of pharmacy informatics was (2.76), pharmacy technician satisfaction score of pharmacy store factors were (2.87) and the overall job satisfaction was (3.62). The finding showed for factor there are no significant differences between male or female and social status married or single, experiences of current position and the most of salary income for all pharmacy services elements satisfaction (p>0.5). Conclusion: The pharmacy services with an emphasis on information technology and pharmacy inventory management affected negatively to the pharmacy technician job satisfaction. All pharmacy services satisfactions should be corrected to improve the pharmacy technician in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Keywords:Factors, Job, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Technicians, Practice, Satisfaction, Saudi ArabiaView:PDF (208.78 KB) PDF PDF Images Factors of Pharmacy Practice on Pharmacy Technician Job Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia

Pharmacy, pharmaceuticals and public policy: Solving the puzzle.

Increasing pressure on healthcare demand and delivery has resulted in the development of new roles and services for pharmacists. As current models of pharmacy practice continue to be evaluated, pharmacists must be involved in identifying new areas that may require research. In order to do so, the current vision of the future of pharmacy practice is discussed in this commentary. Issues such as adequate funding, professional competency and building strong interprofessional relationships are still identified as major barriers to change. These barriers have been grouped into the themes that form a conceptual model of the factors affecting the future of pharmacy practice, which have led to the development of key questions for the future.

In search for gold - The relevance of realist reviews and evaluations to pharmacy research and policy development

Pharmacy services and programs can be regarded as complex interventions which are developed and implemented within the open, complex system of overall healthcare. Realist research considers matters of complexity and provides insights into what programs and interventions work, why and in which contexts. Based on the philosophy of science of critical realism, realist evaluations and realist reviews generate causative explanations which inform pharmacy practitioners, educators and policy makers in which context programs and services achieve particular outcomes. This more nuanced understanding of how pharmacy services contribute to overall healthcare provides guidance for the refinement and targeting of programs, interventions and practice models. This article outlines key aspects of realist research approaches and provides insight into how realism can contribute to research in and the practice of pharmacy.

Placement and sales of tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy in tobacco-free and tobacco-selling pharmacies in Northern California: an observational study

ObjectivesAlthough tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the USA, it is routinely sold in pharmacies. In 2008, San Francisco became the first city in the USA to...

Drug-drug interactions and pharmacists’ interventions among psychiatric patients in outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundLack of recognition of labeled drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is a type of medication error of particular relevance to the treatment of psychiatric patients. Pharmacists are in a position to detect and address potential DDIs. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore pharmacists’ role in the identification and management of DDIs among psychiatric patients in psychiatric outpatient clinics of a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MethodThis study was a retrospective, cross-sectional medical chart review of patients visiting outpatient psychiatric clinics. It utilized medical records of patients who were taking any psychotropic medications and were prescribed at least one additional drug. The hospital Computerized Physician Order Entry system was used to identify DDIs and determine the pharmacists’ interventions. The Beers criteria were applied to detect inappropriate prescribing among older patients. ResultsOn average, the pharmacists intervened in 12 out of 213 (5.6%) cases of major or moderate DDIs. Older age, higher number of prescription medications, the severity of DDIs, and the utilization of lithium and anticoagulants were positively associated with the pharmacist undertaking an action. ConclusionFuture studies should explore the prevalence rate of harmful DDIs among psychiatric patients on a large scale and examine the effectiveness of different pharmacy policies in the detection and management of DDIs.