Practice Of Pharmacists Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among physicians and pharmacists toward antibiotic use in sepsis

BackgroundSepsis management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) presents a significant challenge within contemporary healthcare. The primary challenge lies in ensuring the timely and appropriate utilization of antibiotics. Inappropriate antibiotic use in sepsis management can result in a multitude of adverse outcomes. There has been insufficient focus on thoroughly understanding and resolving the issues related to the improper application of antibiotics in sepsis treatment by physicians and pharmacists. This gap in research is concerning, considering its potential implications for patient outcomes and public health. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among physicians and pharmacists toward antibiotic use in sepsis.MethodsThis web-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Shanxi Bethune Hospital between June 2023 and October 2023. A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information of physicians and pharmacists, and to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices toward antibiotic use in sepsis.ResultsA total of 200 valid questionnaires were collected. Among the participants, 115 (57.5%) were female and 118 (59%) had experience with ICU patient management. The mean knowledge, attitudes and practices scores were 10.2 ± 1.14 (possible range: 0–12), 45.88 ± 4.00 (possible range: 10–50) and 48.38 ± 5.84 (possible range: 11–55), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that attitudes (OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.34–1.87, p < 0.001), work experience of 15 years and above (OR = 7.17, 95%CI: 2.33–22.0, p = 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practices. For physicians, the structural equation model (SEM) demonstrated that attitudes directly affects practices, as indicated by a path coefficient of 0.91 (p < 0.001). For pharmacist, SEM showed that knowledge directly affect attitudes, with a path coefficient of 0.75 (p < 0.024), moreover, attitudes directly affect practices, with a path coefficient of 0.87 (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe findings revealed that physicians and pharmacists have sufficient knowledge, active attitudes, and proactive practices toward the antibiotic use in sepsis. Nonetheless, the findings also reveal the persistence of certain misconceptions, alongside notable shortcomings in both attitudes and practices. Comprehensive training programs are imperative for enhancing the practices of physicians and pharmacists in this field.

'You would rather not fill your body with pills'-patient perspectives on polypharmacy and medication reviews by pharmacists in general practice.

Polypharmacy is widespread. The demographic shift toward older patients receiving multiple medications increases risk and drug-related problems in these patients. To investigate patient perspectives on polypharmacy and the experienced effects of medication reviews by pharmacists in general practice. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews with patients with polypharmacy (>5 medications) from 6 different general practice clinics in the North Denmark region. The interviewees were from the intervention arm of a randomized clinical trial and had received a medication review with a pharmacist in addition to the usual annual check-up in general practice. Participants were interviewed at baseline (no later than 2 weeks after the medication review) and again at follow-up (6 months after the medication review). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed with an inductive approach. The patients' narratives show that they face many difficulties in their everyday lives, making it hard for them to live up to society's ideal of what it is to live a healthy life. The interviewees were generally positive toward the intervention and felt comfortable having a pharmacist conduct the medication review in their usual general practice clinic. Some interviewees gained more insight into their medication from the review. Patient narratives give a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of polypharmacy. Having pharmacists conduct medication reviews in general practice could ensure more time and focus on patients and their medication management. The combined knowledge of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists regarding thorough polypharmacy management is recommended.

Exploring the Awareness and Counseling Practices of Community Pharmacists in Libya Regarding Drug Interactions with Oral Hypoglycemic Medications

The increasing prevalence of polypharmacy increases the patient's risk of drug side effects and drug interactions, especially among patients with type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists are essential to provide effective education and counseling to these patients. This study aims to assess the awareness and counseling practice of community pharmacists in Libyan regarding potential drug interactions involving oral hypoglycemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional descriptive study was adapted in 2020 in Tripoli, Libya, and included a questionnaire distributed to 150 community pharmacists. The majority of pharmacists (79%) had a bachelor’s degree, and (45%) of them had (2-4) years of experience. The vast majority (94%) of participants were familiar with the term drug interactions and counseling guidelines for patients with diabetes. (65%) of pharmacists advised diabetic patients on the appropriate times to check blood sugar levels. (84%) were aware of drugs that interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs. (60%) advised patients to visit their physician if a patient came to their community pharmacy to be dispensed sitagliptin and captopril, to avoid drug interactions with oral hypoglycemic drugs. The study revealed that the majority of Libyan pharmacists in community pharmacies were aware of the term drug interactions and advised diabetic patients, were aware of drugs that interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs.

Pharmacists' practice in providing pharmaceutical services of treating paediatric diarrhoea in pharmacies: A qualitative study

Background: Diarrhoea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Pharmacists in pharmacies are essential in managing the treatment of diarrhoea in children and its prevention, particularly in preventing dehydration in children with diarrhoea. Objective: This study aims to explore the practice of pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical services related to treating diarrhoea in children in pharmacies. Method: The research was conducted using a qualitative, non-experimental method through in-depth interviews. Interviews were conducted face-to-face. Informants were recruited until data saturation, and ten pharmacist informants were obtained. Data validity was assessed through credibility testing with member checking, transferability testing with a detailed description, dependability testing, and confirmability testing through peer debriefing. Interview results were analysed descriptively using an inductive reasoning process. Result: In practice, not all pharmacists obtain complete drug information, make recommendations for appropriate treatment of paediatric diarrhoea, and provide complete drug information. The inhibiting factors for the implementation of pharmaceutical services related to paediatric diarrhoea therapy in the pharmacy is the lack of up-to-date knowledge among pharmacists and the limited human resources in the pharmacy. Conclusion: Pharmacists have a role in preventing and treating diarrhoea in children because they are health professionals who can be found in pharmacies and whom the public can consult about treating diarrhoea in their children.

Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Early Career Pharmacists Concerning Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Co-morbid Mental Health Conditions: Predicting Patients Health Outcomes in Nigeria

Background: This study aims to evaluate the understanding, perceptions and practices of early career pharmacists concerning opioid use disorder and its associated mental health outcomes for patients in Nigeria. The research seeks to identify the level of knowledge that these pharmacists possess about opioid-related issues and the mental health challenges that often accompany them. By examining their attitudes and practices, the study intends to uncover potential gaps in education and training that may affect the quality of care provided to patients suffering from these interconnected health conditions. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. We used evidence of licensure and not more than 5 years in practice to identify eligible participants. Information sheets were sent to all potential participants through email. If interested, they signed the consent form and sent the survey online to be completed and returned within 24 hours. Results: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Out of 514 participants, the majority had accurate knowledge of basic questions as well as a negative attitude regarding how comfortable in providing patient care as well as in monitoring and assessment. 342 (66.5%) respondents and 357 (69.5%) respondents were neutral on the information regarding the percentage of patients that achieve treatment adherence and average patient satisfaction respectively, while (166, 32.3%) (128, 24.9%) reported low/negative treatment adherence and patient satisfaction respectively. Conclusion: By fostering improved knowledge and attitudes among pharmacists, it is possible to mitigate the stigma associated with mental health issues, thereby enhancing treatment adherence and ultimately leading to better health outcomes. The findings show that in as much as the knowledge of these medical conditions is substantial, the negative outcomes persist.

Community Pharmacist Perception and Practice of Herbal product in Eastern Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Herbal Products (HP) are commonly utilized for both medicinal and preventative purposes, however, there is a rising concern about their efficacy and safety in contemporary medical practice. The study aims to determine the perception and practice regarding HP among community pharmacists in Eastern Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted in the Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts of Eastern Nepal. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to assess pharmacists' perceptions and practices regarding herbal remedies. Results: Pharmacy personnel from 246 community pharmacies participated in the study, in which the majority were male (78.9%), and had more than 3 years of experience (57.7%). 47.2% of respondents had shown a positive perception towards HP, whereas only 25.6% of respondents demonstrated good practices regarding herbal items at their pharmacy. Cough preparations (45.9%) and general health tonics (26.4%) were the most sold HP. Most participants (69.5%) believed HP is safe and effective, with 76% recommending the need for proper regulation. A significant number (84.1%) reinforced incorporating HP subjects in the pharmacy curriculum. In terms of practice, over half (51.2%) of pharmacy personnel sometimes dispensed HP, with 87.4% advising consumers on their use. A pharmacist perception was associated with pharmacy practice experience (p=0.020), and practice was linked with age, with better practices seen in those with age ≤30 years (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that most community pharmacy personnel had poor perception and infrequent practice of herbal products in their pharmacy. The study recommends strict quality control, education, and regulation of herbal products to safely and effectively integrate HP in community pharmacy settings. Keywords: Herbal products, Ayurvedic product, Community Pharmacist, Complementary and alternative medicine, attitudes, Practice

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists regarding antibiotic usage and its possible trends

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists regarding antibiotic usage and its possible trends

Physicians and hospital pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards polypharmacy in older patients with chronic diseases

This web-based cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians and hospital pharmacists towards polypharmacy in older adult patients with chronic diseases in China. This study enrolled 374 physicians and pharmacists (270 females, 92 physicians) in 20 Chinese provinces between December 2022 and March 2023. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 12.65 ± 2.05 (possible range, 0–18), 29.07 ± 2.68 (possible range, 7–35), and 26.16 ± 5.56 (possible range, 7–35), respectively. Working as a hospital pharmacist (vs. physician) was independently associated with adequate knowledge (OR = 2.190; 95% CI = 1.291–2.713; P = 0.004). Working in a tertiary hospital (OR = 4.296; 95% CI = 1.390-13.272; P = 0.011) was independently associated with a positive attitude. Knowledge score (OR = 1.176; 95%CI = 1.038–1.333; P = 0.011), hospital pharmacist (OR = 0.276; 95% CI = 0.137–0.557; P < 0.001), master’s degree or higher (OR = 1.754; 95% CI = 1.011–3.045; P = 0.046) and senior professional title (OR = 2.020; 95% CI = 1.032–3.952; P = 0.040) were independently associated with proactive practice toward polypharmacy in older adults. Physicians and hospital pharmacists had favorable knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practice toward polypharmacy. In conclusion, enhancing knowledge through continuous education, promoting interprofessional collaboration, educating patients, and conducting regular evaluations for quality improvement are necessary to improve the KAP of healthcare professionals toward polypharmacy in older adults.

Exploring the pharmacist role in insomnia management and care provision: A scoping review.

Insomnia is a highly burdensome sleep disorder, with a global prevalence of approximately 30% in adults. Insomnia has negative effects on daily functioning and can play a pivotal role in the development and progression of comorbid mental and physical disease. Therefore, appropriate and timely management is essential. Pharmacists are at the forefront of the primary care workforce and given their expanding roles in care provision, would be able to alleviate the burden of insomnia in the community by delivering evidence-based management. To describe the current practice and potential roles of pharmacists in insomnia management. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed in this scoping exercise. An extensive search of five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, IPA, CINAHL) was conducted, generating 1,057 initial results. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened in a two-step process to identify relevant studies for review inclusion. Studies reporting on insomnia management by pharmacists in primary care settings were included in the review. Articles were reviewed and data extracted, analyzed, and grouped categorically based on study design. Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria with 5 qualitative, 8 observational and 15 interventional studies. Over a third of the studies were conducted in Australia (n=11). Insomnia management across these studies ranged from 1) screening/assessment services (n=5), 2) pharmacological and non-pharmacological care provision (n=16), and 3) sedative-hypnotic deprescribing services (n=7). It was evident that pharmacological approaches remain the most common treatment modality adopted despite guidelines recommending cognitive behavioral therapy as first-line. The results show that with adequate training and education, pharmacists have the potential to provide insomnia screening, behavioral therapy, and pharmacological deprescribing services, improving overall insomnia management in primary care. The outcomes of this review highlight a current gap in insomnia management practices carried out by pharmacists and provide evidence for expanded roles and improved care provision when pharmacists are upskilled with specialized training/education.

Assessing Community Pharmacists' Management of Acute Diarrhea in Saudi Arabia: A Simulated Patient Study.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global health, and community pharmacists are positioned to play a crucial role in mitigating this issue. The present study aimed to evaluate the extent of compliance among community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia with relevant regulations and clinical guidelines in the management of suspected infectious diarrhea. This cross-sectional study employed simulated patients presenting with diarrhea to assess the management practices within 200 community pharmacies in two major cities across Saudi Arabia. Trained pharmacy students presented pharmacists with three case scenarios involving adult patients with diarrhea. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine the relationships between pharmacist characteristics and practice categories. The findings of this study indicate that the performance of community pharmacists in managing diarrhea is suboptimal. Notably, less adequate practice emerged as the predominant outcome at 63% (n = 126). Only 14% (n = 28) of pharmacists demonstrated adequate practice, while 23% (n = 46) exhibited poor investigative practice. Metronidazole dispensing increased across scenarios, from 16.92% (n = 11) in Scenario 1 to 30.3% (n = 20) in Scenario 3. Most pharmacists inquired about the patient's age (72%; n = 144); however, only a limited number probed for symptoms of dehydration (5.5%, n = 11) and medication history (3%, n = 6). A significant association was found between geographical location and practice performance (p = 0.015). This study reveals significant deficiencies in the management of infection-related diarrhea, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced training and regulatory measures within community pharmacy settings in Saudi Arabia to improve patient care and effectively address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists providing over-the-counter emergency hormonal contraception: a scoping review.

Reducing the rate and impact of unintended pregnancy through effective contraception is a public health goal. Since deregulation, globally, ease of access to community pharmacists has enabled them to play a key role in the provision of emergency hormonal contraceptive pills (ECP). The aim of this scoping review is to explore pharmacists' overall knowledge of and attitudes and practices towards the provision of emergency contraception. A systematic literature search for the period from 1999 to 2023 was conducted using Scopus, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL, Emcare, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Keywords such as emergency contraception, emergency contraceptive, morning after pill, plan B, pharmacist, community pharmacist, and pharmacy were applied. Articles published only in English that described the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists providing emergency contraception were included in this review. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Despite positive attitudes towards the provision of ECP, there is a clear deficit in both the knowledge and counselling practices of pharmacists, with some pharmacists lacking an open attitude towards the supply of ECP to adolescents and third parties. Usage of a private counselling area ranged from 0% to 90% highlighting privacy for patients seeking ECPs is lacking during consultations. In countries where practice guidelines are available, these are often not being optimally utilized. This review has highlighted gaps in pharmacists' knowledge and counselling practices, demonstrating shortcomings in pharmacists' education, training, and application of professional practice guidelines. Future research on ECP guidelines is recommended to improve implementation and usability in practice.

Factors Associated with the Practice of Assessing Drug-Drug Interactions Among Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) occur when two or more drugs are administered concomitantly, changing the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug's characteristics. Despite the advances in health technology, DDIs remain a concern to patient safety. This study aimed to (1) assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital and community pharmacists toward DDIs in Saudi Arabia and (2) examine factors associated with their practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire targeting hospital and community pharmacists working in Saudi Arabia. The study questionnaire consisted of five sections: demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice toward DDIs, as well as pharmacy characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of participants as count and percentage. Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between practice variables and other independent variables. A total of 131 pharmacists participated in the study. The majority were males (81.7%), aged 26-35 years (64.9%), and worked in community pharmacies (81.7%). Nearly half of the participants reported optimal practice regarding checking drug interactions before dispensing any drug. Factors associated with the practice of checking DDIs were found to be gender, perceived workload, perceived knowledge, and attitude variables. Regarding the practice of asking patients about their prescription and OTC drugs, there were statistically significant differences between hospital and community pharmacists. Our findings on both community and hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia reveal that pharmacists' attitudes and perceived knowledge might influence the practice of pharmacists toward DDIs.

A quality improvement model to identify undiagnosed heart failure at chronic obstructive pulmonary disease annual reviews

Abstract Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a common comorbidity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The estimated prevalence of HF comorbidity in patients with COPD is up to 40%1. COPD and HF have overlapping symptoms which could delay the diagnosis of HF. Studies have shown that in UK primary care, HF treatment for COPD patients is delayed by almost twelve months compared to patients without COPD2. Early diagnosis and management of HF for COPD patients in primary care could reduce risk of recurrent exacerbation and subsequent hospitalisation. HF screen is not currently emphasised in the primary care COPD annual reviews. NICE guidance for COPD diagnosis mentions the use of serum natriuretic peptides to aid differential diagnosis of HF3. Pharmacists in general practice are the patients’ first point of contact, they are able to take leading roles in the holistic management of long-term conditions such as HF and COPD. Aim Reduce HF related complication including exacerbations and subsequent hospital admissions for COPD patients through early HF identification programme at COPD annual review. Methods Electronic Emis search was conducted on the practice database to identify patients on the COPD register. Patients with existing diagnosis of HF or NT-ProBNP in the last 12 month were excluded. Patients were invited for COPD annual review and screened for HF symptoms (breathlessness, fluid retention, fatigue, lightheadness) as per NICE guidance for HF identification. NT-ProBNP test was added to routine annual blood test for patients experiencing any of the HF symptoms. Patients with elevated NT-ProBNP &amp;gt;400ng/L were referred for further assessment for suspected HF. The project was a small scale service improvement project, it did not require ethical approval, this was confirmed with the Broad Street Health Centre clinical lead. Results Twenty six patients were screened out of 48 (54 %). Six patients (23%) had NT-pro BNP results over 400ng/L and were referred for further investigation for suspected HF. Diagnosis was confirmed for three patients 11%. Two of the newly diagnosed patients had an MRC score of 3, while one had and MRC score of 2. No patients with MRC score 1, 4 or 5 where among the newly diagnosed group. Discussion Results analysis correlates with published data regarding the prevalence of HF in COPD patients. Screening for HF in primary care might be most beneficial for patients with MRC of 2 or 3. Patients with score of 1 might have milder symptoms however annual screening will allow early detection of future deterioration. There were no newly diagnosed patients from the MRC score of 4 and 5 groups as they might have already been diagnosed if their symptoms were related to underlying HF. The three patients diagnosed with HF were treated for HF as per NICE guidance. Patients’ spontaneous feedback was positive regarding the new management approach. Conclusion Pharmacists in general practice can play a dynamic role in early identification of existing co-morbidities while conducting annual long-term conditions reviews. This in return facilitates vital early interventions to improve prognosis and reduce further complications along the way.

Exploring the role of primary care pharmacists in NHS Lanarkshire following the implementation of the pharmacotherapy hub: a service evaluation

Abstract Introduction The General Medical Service (GMS) contract was produced in Scotland in an attempt to tackle General Practitioner (GP) workforce issues. The pharmacotherapy work stream is part of this and provides a framework for pharmacy teams, dividing services into level 1 (core), level 2 (advanced) and level 3 (specialist).1 A statement by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the British Medical Association (BMA) discussed the introduction of pharmacotherapy hubs to complete level 1 work for multiple practices, centralising the medicines reconciliation process. Theoretically, this would release pharmacists to carry out clinical and more advanced/specialist services.2 There are currently 8 pharmacotherapy hubs within NHS Lanarkshire (NHSL), incorporating level 2 and 3 services into job plans for General Practice Clinical Pharmacists (GPCPs). No work has been undertaken to explore changes in practice since the implementation of these hubs. The qualitative study explored drivers and motivators for pharmacists in practice, shaping future pharmacotherapy services in NHSL and Scotland. Aim To explore the views and attitudes of primary care pharmacists towards their practice role in NHSL following the implementation of the pharmacotherapy hub. Methods Ethical approval was granted from the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences Ethics Committee (Robert Gordon University). Pharmacists working within the 8 hub localities were invited to participate via email correspondence if they had over 6 months experience in practice pre-hub implementation and then 6 months post-hub implementation. Participants attended a one-to-one interview to share their views towards their practice role since the hub was implemented. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Twelve pharmacists across six localities participated. The five key themes identified were job role, managing time, professional development, professional belonging and patient care. The implementation of the hub was an enabler for pharmacists to partake in advanced pharmacotherapy tasks. Pharmacists negatively perceived level 1 core pharmacotherapy tasks in comparison to level 3 clinical patient-facing time. Participants linked the hubs impact on practice with role development, an increase in autonomy, confidence and job satisfaction. Discussion/Conclusion The hub has enabled in-practice pharmacists to move to a more sustainable balance between core and advanced/specialist tasks. Collaboration is required between pharmacy teams and practices to understand the pharmacist role in pharmacotherapy. Further recommendations include continuing the roll-out of pharmacotherapy hubs, standardisation of pharmacist clinical time balanced with core tasks and implementation of protected learning time for pharmacy teams. The study was open to response bias but this was addressed by using semi-structure interview guides in the one-to-one interviews. Researcher bias was minimised by two researchers analysing the data and practicing reflexivity. The study was open to recall bias due to participant’s retrospective thinking. In NHSL prioritising the hub roll-out and collaboration with stakeholders are essential. This will ensure the balance between efficient pharmacotherapy services and maintaining attractive roles, contributing to a sustainable workforce.

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

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

Evaluation of the ENIGMA mentoring pilot; an approach to tackle leadership inequalities for ethnically diverse female pharmacists in general practice

Abstract Introduction Diversity in leadership positively impacts teams and productivity yet remains limited in pharmacy leadership. The NHS Pharmacy Workforce Race Equality Standard (PWRES) report1 highlights significant underrepresentation of ethnically diverse pharmacists in senior NHS Trust roles (Agenda for Change band 8a and above) compared to their representation in the general pharmacist workforce. This disparity is particularly pronounced for female pharmacists from ethnically diverse backgrounds, who make up 31.9% of all pharmacists but only 24.2% of those in band 8a and above, with a steep decline from 27.6% at band 8a to just 5.9% at band 91,2. To begin addressing this, we piloted the ENhancing leadershIp amonGst ethnically diverse feMale phArmacists (ENIGMA) mentoring scheme in general practice within Leeds. Aim The aim was to determine whether ENIGMA mentoring relationships supported leadership skill development, fostered networking, and developed authentic allies. We assessed the success of the pilot by exploring the perspectives of mentors and mentees and identifying their satisfaction with the scheme. Methods We recruited 18 experienced female senior leaders as mentors for ENIGMA. Mentee recruitment was conducted through dissemination of a flyer via social media, Microsoft Teams, email, and citywide meetings, offering places to the first 18 pharmacists who expressed interest, with no selection process. Mentors and mentees were paired based on mentee goals and mentor expertise. Mentees met their mentor 3 times in a 6-month period. Evaluation was undertaken through Microsoft Forms questionnaires completed anonymously by both mentors and mentees exploring how they experienced ENIGMA, benefits of the scheme, if they felt the scheme had enabled leadership skill development and how it had (or anticipated it would) impact(ed) on career development for the mentee. Ethical approval was deemed unnecessary as this was a service evaluation. Neither author-affiliated organisation is associated with the project. Results Of 18 mentoring pairs, 13 successfully completed the 6-month program. For five pairs, mentees did not establish contact. 62% of mentors responded to the questionnaire. 88% felt a positive impact on their mentoring skills and described a noticeable increase in mentee confidence and career focus. 100% of mentors would recommend the scheme. For mentees, 62% responded. 88% were ‘most satisfied’ with the experience and 88% felt their leadership skills improved because of participating. 75% met specific goals and 88% commented particularly on positive impact of the scheme. 100% of mentees would recommend ENIGMA to others. Discussion/conclusion The pilot was a great success, impacting positively on mentors and mentees. All responding participants would recommend it to others. Mentors and mentees expressed some challenges: finding a mutual time for meetings, and support from employers to use work time for meetings. Questionnaires were not returned by 38% of participants, which is a potential limitation. An identified improvement is to offer mentors an alternative mentee if their original mentee does not make contact. Offer of an annual ENIGMA cohort will continue in Leeds. Additionally, a second pilot is planned in another Integrated Care Board (ICB) to establish how ENIGMA could work in a different area, and if successful, we intend to share this model nationally.

Exploring Pharmacists' Knowledge, Perception, and Practice regarding the Recent Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria

Exploring Pharmacists' Knowledge, Perception, and Practice regarding the Recent Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria

A person-centred primary care pharmacist-led osteoporosis review for optimising medicines (PHORM): a protocol for the development and co-design of a model consultation intervention.

Adherence to medicines in osteoporosis is poor, with estimated 1 year persistence rates between 16% and 60%. Poor adherence is complex, relating to combinations of fear of side effects, beliefs about medication being unnecessary, doubts about effectiveness and the burden of medication management. This is compounded by an absence of monitoring, as many patients are effectively discharged from ongoing care following the initial prescription. Clinical pharmacists in general practice are a relatively new workforce in the UK NHS; this is an unexplored professional group that could provide person-centred, adherence-focused interventions in an osteoporosis context.A model consultation intervention to be delivered by clinical pharmacists in general practice for patients already prescribed fracture prevention medications will be developed using existing evidence and theory and empirical qualitative work outlined in this protocol. We will investigate the current practice and barriers and facilitators to a clinical pharmacist-led osteoporosis intervention, including exploring training needs, through focus groups with people living with osteoporosis, pharmacists, general practitioners, osteoporosis specialists and service designers/commissioners. Framework analysis will identify and prioritise salient themes, followed by mapping codes to the theoretical domains framework and normalisation process theory to understand integration and implementation issues.We will further develop the content and model of care for the new consultation intervention through co-design workshops with stakeholder and patient and public involvement and engagement group members. The intervention in practice will be refined in a sequential process with workshops and in-practice testing with people prescribed fracture prevention medication, pharmacists and the multidisciplinary team. Ethical approval was obtained from NHS North West-Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee (Ref 23/NW/0199). Dissemination and knowledge mobilisation will be facilitated through a range of national bodies/stakeholders. Impact and implementation plans will accelerate this research towards a future clinical trial to determine cost and clinical effectiveness.

Impact of Jordanian Pharmacists' Knowledge of the Human Microbiome: Has the Practice of Antibiotics and Probiotics Dispensing Been Affected? A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess Jordanian pharmacists' knowledge of the human microbiome and the impact of their knowledge on their attitudes and practices toward antibiotics and probiotics. A self-administered survey was designed after reviewing the literature. Participants' demographics were collected, and questions to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward antibiotic and probiotic dispensing were asked. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V.26. Pearson correlations and one-way ANOVA were employed to calculate the significance of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Of the 333 respondents, around 75% (n=250) had a high level of general knowledge regarding the human gut microbiome. Almost equal proportions of participants had either intermediate or high levels of knowledge about the role of gut bacteria in health (n=164, 49.2%) (n=166, 49.8%), respectively, while almost two-thirds had an intermediate level of knowledge of the role of gut bacteria in disease (n=197, 59.2%). More than half of the participants had a positive attitude toward antibiotics, probiotics, and the human microbiome (n=179, 53.8%), and the majority (n=239, 71.8%) had an intermediate level of practice with them. There was a significant positive correlation between pharmacists' general knowledge of the human microbiome and their positive attitudes (r=0.306, p < 0.01) and practices (r=0.331, p < 0.01) toward antibiotics and probiotics. Study results raise the importance of interventional educational measures to promote healthcare professionals' knowledge of the human microbiome and their potential beneficence on pharmacists' attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics and probiotics dispensing. The results also denote the urgent need for probiotics' clinical guidelines to ensure practice uniformity.

Notes on the Consultant Pharmacist Practice Model: At Home and Abroad.

As we roll into our 2024 Annual Meeting in Colorado, we are emphasizing “Practicing at the Peak.” There is more to that theme than the fact that the majestic Rocky Mountains will backdrop this year’s meeting. Our practices include the traditional locations such as nursing facilities, assisted living centers, Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and community settings, where complex medication regimens intersect with the desire to live independently. “Practicing at the Peak” is more than pushing the limits of our license: It's being recognized and reimbursed for the advance practice activities that we deliver. Additionally, ASCP took a trip to Poland to attend the International Conference on Long-tern Care, and to amplify Poland’s consultant pharmacist pilot program and to demonstrate how it more closely resembled what we do in America.