AFFILIATIONS

Abstract

The pharmacy practice of community pharmacists in Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Good pharmacy practice in community pharmacies (CP) is essential in promoting
the rational use of drugs (RUD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of
pharmacy practice in CP according to RUD principles. The following data were a part of an
interventional study in which 84 community pharmacists in the Umraniye district of Istanbul
were evaluated by face to face interviews and an unannounced simulated case scenario in
2002. The average dispensing time, dispensing practice, and adequate labelling were evaluated
as rationality indicators. Our results showed that 32% of the pharmacists were not
present in their pharmacies during the simulation studies. Only 40.5% of the prescriptions
were dispensed by the pharmacists. Forty four percent of the pharmacy employees had no
more than a primary school degree. Half of the patients applying to a pharmacy had no prescription.
The average dispensing time for a single drug was 149 seconds in simulated cases
although the pharmacists declared 287 seconds in the questionnaires. All pharmacists
reported that they explained to the patients how to administer their drugs but only 43% of the
prescriptions were adequately labelled and only 6.5% included a verbal warning by the dispensers
of possible interactions. In conclusion, good pharmacy practice was poorly applied
in CP in the selected district of Istanbul. Since most patients consulted a pharmacist for their
medication (with or without a prescription), it seemed that continuing education would be
essential for pharmacists and pharmacy employees in promoting RUD.
KEYWORDS: Rational use of drug, Pharmacy practice, Community pharmacist, Prescription,
Dispensing time, Dispensing score.

Keywords

• Rational use of drug, Pharmacy practice, Community pharmacist, Prescription, Dispensing time, Dispensing score

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