Assessing content and factors influencing responses to information requests in community pharmacies in Jordan: A simulated patients study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the management of requests for information about a prescription only medicine (simvastatin for treatment of dyslipidemia) by pharmacy staff in community settings and explore the factors influencing the information content. METHODS: A cross sectional study conducted using the stimulated patient (SP) method between November 2018 and May 2019. The SP conveyed the request at the beginning of the encounter in a standardized way based on predetermined plots and was instructed to ask the pharmacy staff directly if information was not discussed spontaneously. After the visit, the SP provided written feedback including information about the scenario and a copy of individualized feedback. The study was reported according to the checklist for reporting research using simulated patient methodology (CRiSP). Factors influencing information content with or without information demand were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 55 visits were analyzed. The average content score for the information discussed spontaneously was 16.2% with the standard deviation (SD) equal to15.6. The score improved significantly after information was demanded by the SP; the average total information content score became 34.4% (SD = 16) with p < 0.001. The score of information discussed spontaneously was higher for male pharmacy staff, older age, more experience, and a Pharm D degree. When the SP prompted or demanded for information, older pharmacy staff with more experience and with a college degree scored higher. Independent pharmacies, longer visit durations, and less distraction were associated significantly with higher information scores Pharmacy staff aged 35-39 and those with 6-10 years of experience were significant contributors to spontaneous discussion of information with p values = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively. After the SP demanded information, pharmacy staff with less than 5 years of experience and greater confidence as well as longer visits were positively predicting higher information scores with p values of 0.049, 0.04, and 0.04, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Information provided by community pharmacists responding to information requests about prescription only medications was found to be suboptimal. Patient requests for information were found to be a positive driver for better information content. Further research of mixed methodologies is required to clarify the factors and motivators enabling information exchange in community settings and to outline true training needs.

Mapping community pharmacy services in Brazil: a scoping review

Abstract The delivery of clinical pharmacy services has been growing in Brazilian community pharmacies, and it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the topic. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of Brazilian studies about clinical pharmacy services in community pharmacies. Original research articles, with no restriction of time, study design, or patient's health condition, were included. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs. Two reviewers conducted the screening, full-text reading, and data extraction independently. ROB and ROBINS-I were used for the assessment of quality. Charts and tables were built to summarise the data. Seventy-two articles were included. A diversity of study designs, number of participants, terms used, and outcomes was found. São Paulo and Sergipe States had the highest number of studies (n=10). Pharmacists' interventions were not fully reported in 65% of studies, and most studies presented an unclear risk of bias. Studies were very diverse, impairing the comparisons between the results and hindering their reproducibility. This review suggests using guidelines and checklists for better structuration of pharmacists' interventions as well as reporting results and measuring fidelity in future research.

Case management programs for people with complex needs: Towards better engagement of community pharmacies and community-based organisations.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were 1) to describe how case management programs engaged community pharmacies and community-based organisations in a perspective of integrated care for people with complex needs, and 2) to identify enablers, barriers and potential strategies for this engagement. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative design, individual interviews and focus groups with patients, healthcare providers and managers were analysed according to a mixed thematic analysis based on a deductive (Rainbow Model of Integrated Care) and an inductive approach. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Participants highlighted the individualized service plan as a significant tool to foster a shared person-focused vision of care, information exchanges and concerted efforts. Openness to collaboration was also considered as an enabler for community stakeholders' engagement. The lack of recognition of community-based organisations by certain providers and the time required to participate in individualized service plans were outlined as barriers to professional integration. Limited opportunities for community stakeholders to be involved in decision-making within case management programs were reported as another constraint to their engagement. Cultural differences between organisations regarding the focus of the intervention (psychosocial vs healthcare needs) and differences in bureaucratic structures and funding mechanisms may negatively affect community stakeholders' engagement. Formal consultation mechanisms and improvement of communication channels between healthcare providers and community stakeholders were suggested as ways to overcome these barriers. CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve care integration in case management programs should be directed toward the recognition of community stakeholders as co-producers of care and co-builders of social policies across the entire care continuum for people with complex needs.

A randomized controlled trial of pharmacist-led therapeutic carbohydrate and energy restriction in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can be treated, and sometimes reversed, with dietary interventions; however, strategies to implement these interventions while addressing medication changes are lacking. We conducted a 12-week pragmatic, community-based parallel-group randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03181165) evaluating the effect of a low-carbohydrate (<50 g), energy-restricted diet (~850-1100 kcal/day; Pharm-TCR; n = 98) compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 90), delivered by community pharmacists, on glucose-lowering medication use, cardiometabolic health, and health-related quality of life. The Pharm-TCR intervention was effective in reducing the need for glucose-lowering medications through complete discontinuation of medications (35.7%; n = 35 vs. 0%; n = 0 in TAU; p < 0.0001) and reduced medication effect score compared to TAU. These reductions occurred concurrently with clinically meaningful improvements in hemoglobin A1C, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and triglycerides (all p < 0.0001). These data indicate community pharmacists are a viable and innovative option for implementing short-term nutritional interventions for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly when medication management is a safety concern.

Supply-chain strategies for essential medicines in rural western Kenya during COVID-19.

PROBLEM: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted health systems worldwide and threatened the supply of essential medicines. Especially affected are vulnerable patients in low- and middle-income countries who can only afford access to public health systems. APPROACH: Soon after physical distancing and curfew orders began on 15 March 2020 in Kenya, we rapidly implemented three supply-chain strategies to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines while minimizing patients' COVID-19 exposure risks. We redistributed central stocks of medicines to peripheral health facilities to ensure local availability for several months. We equipped smaller, remote health facilities with medicine tackle boxes. We also made deliveries of medicines to patients with difficulty reaching facilities. LOCAL SETTING: Τo implement these strategies we leveraged our 30-year partnership with local health authorities in rural western Kenya and the existing revolving fund pharmacy scheme serving 85 peripheral health centres. RELEVANT CHANGES: In April 2020, stocks of essential chronic and non-chronic disease medicines redistributed to peripheral health facilities increased to 835 140 units, as compared with 316 330 units in April 2019. We provided medicine tackle boxes to an additional 46 health facilities. Our team successfully delivered medications to 264 out of 311 patients (84.9%) with noncommunicable diseases whom we were able to reach. LESSONS LEARNT: Our revolving fund pharmacy model has ensured that patients' access to essential medicines has not been interrupted during the pandemic. Success was built on a community approach to extend pharmaceutical services, adapting our current supply-chain infrastructure and working quickly in partnership with local health authorities.

Exploring satisfaction level among outpatients regarding pharmacy facilities and services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; a large regional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of patients`satisfaction towards pharmacy services is of utmost importance to ensure the quality of care. It helps in identifying domains requiring improvements to provide high quality pharmacy services to ensure the provision of enhanced pharmaceutical care. The current study aims to ascertain the extent of satisfaction towards pharmacy services among patients attending outpatient pharmacies in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 746 patients attending outpatient pharmacies of various public hospitals was conducted from 01 January to 15 February 2020. Information on socio-demographic profile of the study subjects along with their satisfaction towards outpatient pharmacy was extracted by using a 23-items questionnaire. These questions were divided into two domains including 7 questions related to the pharmacy facilities (questions from 1F to 7F) and 8 questions for pharmacy services (questions from 1S to 8S), where F and S denotes facilities and services, respectively. The cumulative satisfaction score was estimated by a 5-item Likert scale with a maximum score of 5 for each item. The relationship between demographics and satisfaction scores was evaluated by using appropriate statistics. RESULTS: There were 746 patients with male preponderance (58.8%). The overall satisfaction score was 2.97 ± 0.65. Satisfaction towards pharmacy services scored lower (mean score: 3.91 ± 0.77) than pharmacy facilities (mean score: 4.03 ± 0.66). Items related to patient`s counseling (3F, 2S, 3S, 6S) scored least during the analysis. Older patients (p = 0.006), male gender (p<0.001), Saudi nationality (0.035), patients attending primary care centers (p = 0.02), and patients with chronic illnesses were significantly associated with lower satisfaction score. CONCLUSION: This study reported that the satisfaction level of patients attending outpatient pharmacies was low and differed among various socio-demographic groups. Approximately one-half of the patients were not satisfied with outpatient pharmacy services. These findings underscore the dire need for managerial interventions including the hiring of trained professionals, onsite training of pharmacy staff, initiation of clinical or patient centered pharmacy services, evaluation of patient`s response towards the services and appropriate controlling measures, irrespective to the type of hospitals.

Pharmacogenomics guided versus standard antidepressant treatment in a community pharmacy setting: A randomized controlled trial.

The literature on pharmacogenomics as a tool to support antidepressant precision is burgeoning. Recently, a more active role has been argued for pharmacists in pharmacogenomic testing, with both pharmacists and family physicians perceiving pharmacist-led testing as a valuable method by which to scale this innovation for depression treatment. In this prospective, single-blind randomized controlled design, we evaluated the impact of pharmacogenomics guided versus standard antidepressant treatment of depression and anxiety, implemented in three large community pharmacies. Participants were 213 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder, randomized to receive pharmacogenomics guided (n = 105) or standard antidepressant treatment (n = 108); participants were blinded to the study. Patient reported outcomes of depression, anxiety, disability, and treatment satisfaction were assessed at months 0, 1, 3, and 6. Hypotheses were investigated using mixed effect models on the full data. All clinical outcomes improved significantly. The primary outcome (depression) and two secondary outcomes (generalized anxiety and disability) exhibited significant time by group interactions indicating that they improved for participants who received pharmacogenomics guided treatment more so than they did for participants who received standard treatment. Treatment satisfaction improved similarly for both groups. Results contribute to a growing body of work evaluating the impact of pharmacogenomics testing to inform antidepressant medication treatment for depression and anxiety, and provides important initial evidence for the role of pharmacists in care delivery. Pharmacogenomic testing may be a valuable tool to allow pharmacists to more effectively collaborate in facilitating clinical treatment decisions. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: (NCT03591224).

Applicability of a new specialty pharmacy-reported measure describing completion of therapy for hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: In 2019, the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) required a new reporting measure for specialty pharmacies related to completion of therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). OBJECTIVE: To calculate HCV completion of therapy according to URAC criteria and compare it with a calculation with additional pharmacy proposed adjustments to assess its applicability. METHODS: This was an observational study of patients who received HCV treatment with a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) from 1 specialty pharmacy. All patients with prescription claims at a pharmacy who had a first fill for a DAA medication between the 2 measurement periods of January 1, 2018-December 31, 2018, and January 1, 2019-December 31, 2019, were included. Additional information was collected via a retrospective chart review and from the pharmacy's electronic medication system. The cumulative gap according to URAC was calculated from claims data by summing the number of days between the last days supply of 1 claim for the prescribed DAA and the subsequent claims. The pharmacy-proposed cumulative gap was calculated using additional information from patient chart notes in order to account for a true start date. RESULTS: A total of 1,485 patients were identified as having a first fill of a DAA between the 2 measurement periods. The HCV completion of therapy measure calculated per the URAC definition was 83.4% in 2018 and 86.5% in 2019. The only variable significantly associated with a > 15-day gap according to the URAC definition was if the first DAA order was delivered to the prescriber's office instead of the patient's home for 2018 (χ2 [1, N = 573] = 16.8, P < 0.001) and 2019 (χ2 [1, N = 836] = 12.6, P < 0.001). Using the pharmacy-proposed adjustment, the modified HCV completion rates for 2018 and 2019 were 88.9% and 89.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The accrediting body's definition of completion of therapy may report a falsely high rate of gaps in HCV therapy due to not accounting for the actual DAA start date. This information may prove beneficial for the accrediting body, as it reviews its initial definition of the HCV completion of therapy measure. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. Levesque reports participation in AbbVie's speaker's bureau with regard to its immunology portfolio. The other authors have no possible financial or personal relationships with commercial entities to disclose that may have a direct or indirect interest in the matter of this study.

Servicio profesional farmacéutico de indicación farmacéutica en sequedad ocular utilizando el programa 'I-VALOR' / Minor ailment service for dry eye syndromes: I-VALOR programme

INTRODUCCIÓN: la labor del farmacéutico comunitario en el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica (SIF) es muy importante como primera línea de asistencia a la población, aunque no está suficientemente documentada. OBJETIVOS: evaluar la intervención del farmacéutico comunitario en el SIF ante una consulta sobre enfermedad de ojo seco (EOS) con el uso de protocolos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo, observacional realizado dentro del programa I-VALOR (enero-junio 2015). Los participantes fueron farmacéuticos voluntarios y pacientes que solicitaron algún remedio para aliviar la EOS. Se utilizó el protocolo del SIF del Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en Farmacia Comunitaria, un consenso para EOS realizado entre sociedades científicas, una hoja de derivación, un informe para el paciente y una hoja de recomendaciones. RESULTADOS: participaron 6.350 pacientes. 62,7 % consultas fueron realizadas por mujeres (24,3 % 46-65 años). El 60 % de los pacientes no presentaba ningún criterio de derivación. Se detectaron 3.887 criterios de derivación en 2.537 pacientes. Se decidió no derivar al 15,4 %, y del resto, 87,3 % aceptó la derivación. La dispensación de algún tratamiento tuvo lugar en el 80 % de los pacientes: 3.157 con tratamiento farmacológico (89,2 % un único medicamento) y 2.403 con tratamiento no farmacológico. El 35 % recibió consejos higiénico-dietéticos y consejo farmacéutico. Se detectaron 25 reacciones adversas a medicamentos (0,4 %). El 70,5 % de todas las consultas realizadas fueron resueltas sin necesidad de derivar al médico. CONCLUSIONES: el programa I-VALOR para EOS ha permitido evaluar la intervención protocolizada del farmacéutico en EOS mediante el registro de las actuaciones farmacéuticas para demostrar la labor desarrollada desde la farmacia comunitaria

BACKGROUND: Minor ailment service offered in community pharmacist is a key element in patient care. Thought in Spain the service is not properly documented. AIMS: The main objective was to evaluate community pharmacists' interventions through an agreed minor ailment service for dry eye syndromes (DES). METHOD: Descriptive study undertaken alongside I-VALOR programme (January-June 2015). Participants were pharmacists from SEFAC who voluntarily decided to do, and patients were those who consulted about DES in community pharmacy. Pharmacists used the Pharmaceutical Care Forum guideline for the Minor Ailment Service and an agreed consensus between pharmaceutical and medical societies. A patient's form and a referral's form were designed. RESULTS: There were 6,350 patients involved. 62.7% consultations were made by women 24.3% of 46-65 years old). No referral criteria were detected in 60% of patients. The pharmacist detected 3,887 referral criteria in 2,537 patients. Pharmacists decided not to refer 15.4% of those patients. 87.3% of the patients referred accepted the referral. Treatments were dispensed in 80% of patients: 3,157 pharmacological treatment (89.2% a single medication) and 2,403 non-pharmacological treatment (medical device, food supplement or eye cleaning product). 35% received hygienic-dietary advice and pharmaceutical advice. Twenty-five adverse drug reactions were detected (0.4%). 70.5% of all consultations made were managed with no referral to a general practitioner (GP). CONCLUSIONS: I-VALOR programme allowed to evaluate an agreed intervention for DES in community pharmacy through the record of MAS to demonstrate CP contribution to manage minor ailments

Dispensación de fentanilo y tapentadol en farmacia comunitaria: adherencia farmacoterapéutica en dolor no oncológico / Dispensing of fentanyl and tapentadol in community pharmacy: Therapeutic adherence in non-cancer pain

INTRODUCCIÓN: durante los últimos años ha existido un aumento en la prescripción y dispensación de opioides y una elevada prevalencia de pacientes con dolor crónico no oncológico. Objetivo principal; evaluar adherencia farmacoterapéutica de pacientes con dolor no oncológico en tratamiento con fentanilo o tapentadol. Material/MÉTODOS: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal realizado por 139 farmacéuticos comunitarios. Población diana: mayores de 18 años que acuden a la farmacia comunitaria con prescripción de fentanilo o tapentadol. Las variables recogidas fueron edad, sexo, patología, carácter crónico/agudo, indicación, motivo del dolor, principios activos dispensados (conocimiento de posología, administración, posibles reacciones adversas), adherencia (Test de Haynes-Sackett), intensidad del dolor (Escala Visual Analógica), e intervención del farmacéutico. Para medir la adherencia se utilizó el test de Haynes-Sackett, que permite detectar pacientes no adherentes, conocer las dificultades que tienen en el uso de fentanilo o tapentadol y ofrecer recomendaciones para mejorar el uso de estos tratamientos y minimizar los problemas de falta de adherencia. La evaluación del dolor se realizó solo a los pacientes en tratamiento de continuación; determinando el valor medio mediante la medición a través de la EVA del dolor. RESULTADOS: el análisis de la adherencia con el test de Haynes-Sackett mostró que 358 pacientes (87,1 %) no tuvieron dificultad para tomarse/ponerse tratamiento, y 53 pacientes (12,9 %) sí presentaron dificultad, de los cuales, un 77 % son mayores de 70 años y un 79 % son mujeres. Los principales motivos de la no adherencia en la población del estudio fueron: ser persona dependiente, tener dificultad en la colocación y tener problemas de adhesión del parche de fentanilo. La evaluación media del dolor en los pacientes del estudio fue de 6,1 puntos en la EVA; un 44,5 % de los pacientes presenta valores de EVA superior a 6 puntos, para los pacientes no adherentes el valor promedio de la EVA fue 6,6 mientras que para los pacientes adherentes fue 6. Para los pacientes con tratamiento crónico, refirieron un 41 % tener el dolor controlado, 53 % presentó mejora de su capacidad funcional y 57 % mejora de su calidad de vida. En un 37,9 % de los tratamientos de continuación se manifestaron reacciones adversas. La principal reacción adversa fue el estreñimiento presente en un 23,6 % de pacientes con tratamientos crónicos. El 53,9 % de los pacientes respondió sí a querer un Servicio Profesional Farmacéutico Asistencial (SPFA) de abordaje del dolor crónico. CONCLUSIONES: la mayoría de pacientes son adherentes. El principal motivo de no adherencia fue ser una persona dependiente. El valor promedio de EVA fue de 6 puntos. Los pacientes no alcanzan un control adecuado del dolor, aunque reconocen tener mejor capacidad funcional y calidad de vida. En casi un 40% de los tratamientos de continuación se manifestaron reacciones adversas. La mitad de los pacientes demanda un servicio profesional farmacéutico asistencial en dolor

INTRODUCTION: In recent years there has been an increase on prescription and dispensation of opioids and high prevalence of patients with chronic non-oncological pain. Main objective; evaluate the pharmacotherapy adherence of patients with non-cancer pain treated with fentanyl or tapentadol. MATERIAL/ METHODS: Observational, descriptive and transverse study performed by 139 community pharmacists. Target population: people over 18 years old that come to com-munity pharmacy with a prescription of fentanyl or tapentadol. The collected variables were age, sex, pathology, chronic/acute character, indication, reason of pain, dispensed active principles (knowledge of posology, administration, possible adverse reactions), adherence (Haynes-Sackett Test), pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), and the pharmacist’s intervention. Haynes-Sackett test was used to measure the adherence, which allows detecting non-adherent patients, knowing the difficulties related with the use fentanyl or tapentadol and offering recommendations to improve the use of these treatments and minimize the problems of lack of adherence. The pain evaluation was carried out only in continuation care treatment; determining the average value using the VAS pain measuring system. RESULTS: The adherence analysis using Haynes-Sackett showed 358 patients (87.1%) without difficulties to take/put on treatment while 53 patients (12.9%) did present difficulties, of which 77% were older than 70 years old and 79% were women. The main reasons for the non-adherence in the studied population were: being de-pendent people, having difficulties in the placement and having adhesion problems with fentanyl patches. The average pain measure evaluation in the studied patients was 6.1 points in VAS; 44.5% of patients presented VAS values above 6 points, for the non-adherent patients the average VAS value was 6.6 while for the adherent patients was 6.In patients with chronic treatment, the 41% had controlled pain, 53% presented an improvement in their functional capacity and the 57% had improved their quality life. Adverse reactions were manifested in the 37.9% of the continuation care treatments. The main adverse reaction was the constipation, present in the 23.6% of the patients with chronic treatments.53.9% of the patients answered affirmative to be under Assistance Pharmaceutical Professional Service of boarding chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Most of patients were adherent. The main reason for non-adherence was to be a dependent person. VAS average value was 6 points and patients did not reach to an adequate pain control, although they recognize a better functional capacity and quality of life. Almost 40% of the continuation care treatments manifested adverse reactions. Half of the patients demanded Assistance Pharmaceutical Professional Service in pain

Análisis de cumplimentación de las recetas médicas en soporte papel / Analysis of completion of medical prescriptions on paper

Dentro de las políticas farmacéuticas, el Estado se ha interesado por la receta médica como documento legal de prescripción y de dispensación de medicamentos y productos sanitarios, contribuyendo a la mejora en la seguridad del paciente. Con el objetivo de medir la cumplimentación de las recetas que llegan a la farmacia comunitaria se realizó un estudio observacional transversal, durante dos meses de 2019, revisando todas las recetas en soporte papel presentadas para su dispensación en cinco farmacias. En ese intervalo se recibieron un total de 33.463 recetas, 30.085 (89,90 %) eran electrónicas y 3.378 (10,10 %) en papel. De estas, 841 (25 %) eran del Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), 931 (27 %) de MUFACE, 362 (11 %) de ISFAS, 28 (1 %) de MUGEJU, 201 (6 %) de otras mutuas y 1.015 (30 %) de asistencia sanitaria privada. Cuando se analizó el número y porcentaje de recetas en papel que podían ser dispensadas legalmente, se observó que sólo 130 (65 %) recetas de otras mutuas, 30 (4 %) recetas del SNS y 34 (3 %) recetas privadas estaban correctamente cumplimentadas. Por tanto, sólo 194 de las 3.378 recetas en papel analizadas (6 %) que se han recibido durante dos meses en las cinco farmacias podían ser dispensadas de acuerdo con la ley actual. Cuando las recetas no están correctamente cumplimentadas, con los datos básicos obligatorios, indispensables para la validez de la receta médica, la seguridad del paciente puede verse comprometida y los profesionales sanitarios que prescriben y los que dispensan los medicamentos se exponen a sanciones

Within the pharmaceutical policies, the State has been interested in the medical prescription as a legal document of prescription and dispensing medicines and health products contributing to the improvement in patient safety. To measure the degree of compliance of the prescriptions that arrive at the community pharmacy, a cross-sectional observational study was conducted for two months of 2019 to review all the prescriptions on paper presented for dispensing in five pharmacies. Within this period, a total of 33463 prescriptions were received 30085 (89.90%) were electronic and 3378 (10.10%) were on paper. Of these, 841 (25%) came from the public health system, 931 (27%) from MUFACE, 362 (11%) from ISFAS, 28 (1%) from MUGEJU, 201 (6%) other organizations and 1015 (30%) from private healthcare. When the number and percentage of paper prescriptions that could be legally dispensed was analysed, it was observed that only 130 (65%) prescriptions of other organizations, 30 (4%) of the public health system and 34 (3%) of private healthcare were correctly completed. Therefore, only 194 of the 3,378 paper prescriptions (6%) received during two months in the five community pharmacies could be dispensed according to current law. When the prescriptions are not correctly filled, with the mandatory basic data, indispensable for the validity of the medical prescription, the patient's safety can be compromised and the prescribing health professionals and those who dispense the medications are exposed to sanctions

Influenza vaccination coverage at community pharmacies: Positioning, needs, expectations and involvement of community pharmacists in the Franche-Comté region.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza vaccination coverage currently remains below the 75% recommended threshold by the World Health Organization. To correct this situation, experiments have been successively carried out in France to enable community pharmacists to vaccinate at-risk populations. In this context, a study was conducted with pharmacists from the French Franche-Comté region to evaluate their positioning, needs and expectations regarding influenza vaccination at community pharmacies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was created and sent to licensed pharmacists in March of 2018. This consisted of 4 parts: characteristics of the community pharmacy; positioning of the pharmacist regarding vaccinations carried out at the pharmacy; training needs and expectations; and willingness to implement vaccinations. RESULTS: The participation rate in this survey was 32% (137/427). More than 90% of the pharmacists agreed that community pharmacies' assets were adequate for the implementation of these vaccinations (accessibility and availability), although 52% considered this complicated. Their main fears were reluctance from patients and conflicts of interest with other health professionals authorized to vaccinate (58%). The needs and expectations regarding pharmacy student training were essential for 94% of them as well as continuous training of practicing pharmacists (96%). The willingness of pharmacists to vaccinate stemmed from the fact that influenza vaccination coverage would increase for at-risk subjects (36%). CONCLUSION: This survey allowed us to assess the favorable positioning and the real interest of pharmacists from Franche-Comté regarding the influenza vaccination done at community pharmacies, given the proviso that they were given relevant training and allocated adequate resources.

Accessing emergency contraception pills from pharmacies: the experience of young women in London.

INTRODUCTION: Over-the-counter provision of emergency contraception pills (ECP) has increased since deregulation of progestogen-only formulations and is now the most common public health service provided by UK pharmacists. Important questions relate to women's perceptions of their experience of receiving ECPs from pharmacists. METHODS: Qualitative study: in-depth interviews with young women reporting ECP use, recruited from clinic (10); pharmacy (6) and community settings (5) in London. RESULTS: Key advantages of pharmacy provision were ease and speed of access and convenience. Disadvantages included a less personal service, inadequate attention to information needs and to prevention of recurrence of ECP need, and unsupportive attitudes of pharmacy staff. Suggested service improvements included increasing privacy, providing more contraceptive advice, adopting a more empathetic approach and signposting follow-up services. CONCLUSION: Pharmacies are important in the choice of settings from which ECPs can be obtained and many aspects of pharmacy provision are appreciated by young women. There is scope to further enhance pharmacists' role.

Exploring patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting: a national cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The community pharmacy is one setting that plays a crucial role in patient safety. To develop tailored patient safety improvement programs in this setting, it is essential to know the perspectives of the pharmacies' staffs on patient safety. Thus, in this study, we assessed patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Between January and August of 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study among staff working in the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia. Data on patient safety culture were collected using the Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC). Analyses were performed with descriptive statistics (frequency/percentages), Fisher's Exact test, Chi-square analysis, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds model analysis. RESULTS: PSOPSC data from 805 community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia were received (response rate: 78%). The overall average positive response rate for the 11 dimensions of the PSOPSC survey was 60.2%, with a range from 34.8% in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace to 76.4% in the dimension of Teamwork. Most participants responded positively, as in total, 504 (62.6%) of the participants rated their pharmacy as 'excellent' or 'very good' on patient safety. Gender and work experience in a pharmacy were important predictors of the overall patient safety grade. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that all dimensions are scope for further improvement, and critical consideration ought to be given to the areas of weakness, for the most part in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace.

Assessment of public hospital drug supply financing through the public-private partnership: pharmacists' perspectives

In Nigeria, drug financing by the public has been challenged by financial constraints through public fund due to a limited fund available to the government to meet all its demands. The objectives of this study were to determine the variability of the hospital patient prices of same drugs under the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) and in Private Retail Community Pharmacy (PRCP), and to investigate the perceived efficiency and effectiveness of the PPP by comparing it with the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) model in drug supply financing. This study was conducted in Nigeria utilizing a mixed method. Mann-Whitney U test analysis was used to compare the median drug price of the two facilities. The majority (76.19%) of the drugs were sold at a cheaper rate in the hospital than what was obtained in the PRCP with no significance difference (p > 0.05). Dominant responses from the focused group discussions supported the PPP model. This study shows that the median patient price of the basket of matched pairs of same drugs in the hospital under the PPP and in the PRCP was identical. Overall, the participants were of the opinion that the PPP model was more efficient and effective than DRFin the financing drug supply

Factors impeding the supply of over-the-counter medications according to evidence-based practice: A mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the positive attitudes pharmacists have toward evidence-based practices (EBPs), its application in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and assess EBPs by community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia when they dispense over-the-counter (OTC) medications for three minor ailments: diarrhea, cough, and the common cold. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a mixed-methods approach consisting of two study parts. The first was a quantitative investigation that used mystery shoppers. Four researchers, posing as mystery shoppers, visited 214 randomly selected pharmacies in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. They used 14 questions from a standardized checklist to examine EBPs by community pharmacists. The qualitative part of the study entailed three focus-group discussions with 13 pharmacists from different community practice settings and explored factors that affected the application of EBPs when supplying OTC medications from the pharmacists' point of view. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that 40% of pharmacists dispensed OTC medications according to EBPs. Logistic regression analysis showed that one question, "Describe your symptoms", predicted the correct supply of OTC medications (p = 0.021). The qualitative section of the study identified nine factors that affected EBP. Some of these factors facilitated EBP, such as established patient-pharmacist relationships, some acted as barriers such as conflicts between available evidence, while other factors could either facilitate or hinder EBPs, such as the health literacy of the patient. CONCLUSION: Given that dispensing OTC medication is a core function of pharmacists, this study uncovered low adherence to EBPs by community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia when dispensing OTC medication for three minor ailments: diarrhea, cough, and the common cold. Furthermore, this study identified a number of explanatory factors for this low adherence. Targeting these factors could help change the behavior of pharmacists and decrease undesirable outcomes.

Soluciones tecnológicas de las farmacias comunitarias al desabastecimiento de medicamentos: aplicación del modelo colaborativo en red y 'big data' / Technological solutions of community pharmacies to medicines shortage: Application of the collaborative network model and big data

INTRODUCCIÓN: la falta de suministro de medicamentos provoca resultados económicos, clínicos y humanísticos negativos en los pacientes, generando también carga de trabajo adicional a los agentes sanitarios. Para ayudar a los farmacéuticos comunitarios se ha diseñado Luda Farma® (LF), una plataforma electrónica de gestión y colaboración entre farmacias destinada a la mejora de la eficiencia en el control del stock, que proporciona un entorno colaborativo compartiendo información puntual sobre stock de medicamentos concretos entre ellas. OBJETIVOS: analizar el número de medicamentos en desabastecimiento, según la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) y el Centro de Información sobre el Suministro de Medicamentos (CISMED) que se localizan para los pacientes a través de la plataforma LF. Identificar qué medicamentos, que se encuentran en desabastecimiento, se localizan a través de la plataforma. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo, observacional, utilizando los datos generados a través de LF durante el año 2019 (del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre). Se utilizó LF para buscar aquellos medicamentos en desabastecimiento según CISMED y AEMPS. Se cruzaron los datos de la red con los listados de CISMED y AEMPS. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el lenguaje de programación R. RESULTADOS: participaron 389 farmacias comunitarias adheridas libre y gratuitamente a la red LF. Realizaron 7.628 encargos de medicamentos: 1.993 con problemas de suministro en AEMPS y 1.794 en CISMED. El resto de los encargos son medicamentos no declarados en falta, en ninguna base de datos y productos que no son medicamentos. Son encargos que realizan las farmacias, ya sea porque no tienen el producto demandado, no pueden ponerlo a disposición del paciente tan rápido como necesita el paciente, aunque lo encarguen, porque se les ha acabado y recurrieron a LF para buscar el producto concreto en otra farmacia para que el paciente pueda recogerlo cuando lo desee el paciente. Los medicamentos que mayor número de veces se reservaron fueron: Apocard® 100 mg 60 comp, Trankimazin Retard® 0,5 mg 30 comp y Elontril® 150 mg 30 comp. CONCLUSIONES: LF ayuda a los farmacéuticos comunitarios al dar una solución in situ a los pacientes que no encuentran los medicamentos que buscan, disminuyendo el impacto del desabastecimiento de los medicamentos

BACKGROUND: Medicine shortages cause negative economic, clinical and humanistic results for patients, also generating additional workload for healthcare stakeholders.Luda Farma (LF) is a pharmacy electronic management and collaborative platform aimed at improving efficiency in stock control, and to help pharmacists by providing them a collaborative tool that allows sharing specific information on the stock of partic­ular medications among pharmacies. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the number of medicines in short supply (according to the AEMPS and CISMED listings) that patients locate through the LF platform. To identify which medicines in short supply are located through the platform. METHOD: This retrospective, observational study, used the data generated through LF during the year 2019 (from January 1st to December 31st).LF was used to search for those medicines in short supply according to CISMED and AEMPS. Data from the network was searched at the CISMED and the AEMPS listings. Data were processed with programming language R. RESULTS: 389 pharmacies that freely and voluntarily affiliated to the LF network par­ticipated. They carried out 7,628 orders between pharmacies: 1993 of those medicines had supply problems according to the AEMPS, and 1,794 medicines had supply problems according to the CISMED listings. The drugs with the most significant number of reservations were: Apocard® 100mg 60 tablets, Trankimazin Retard® 0.5mg 30 tablets, and Elontril® 150 mg 30 tablets. CONCLUSIONS: LF helps pharmacists by providing an on­site solution to patients who cannot find the drugs they are looking for, lessening the impact of drug shortages

Still Burning: An Exploration of the Impacts of the 2018/2019 Tasmanian Summer Bushfires on Community Pharmacy Operations in Affected Communities.

INTRODUCTION: Human-induced climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfires across the globe. This has negative consequences for the health of affected communities through the loss of health systems' infrastructure and disrupted health services. Community pharmacies are a central hub between patients and the health care system and can provide continuity of care during wildfires. However, there is little in peer-reviewed literature about the impacts of wildfires on community pharmacy operations. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was therefore to explore the impacts of the 2018/2019 summer bushfires in Tasmania, Australia on community pharmacy operations in affected areas. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with four community pharmacists who were working in the affected region during the bushfires. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using two methods- manual coding utilizing NVivo software and Leximancer analysis. Inter-rater reliability was ensured by two researchers analyzing the data independently. Differences in coding were discussed and agreement reached through negotiation amongst the research team. RESULTS: From the manual coding analysis, five key themes emerged - communication and collaboration; support; patient health challenges; pharmacist experiences in delivering health care; and future planning. These aligned with the five themes that emerged from the Leximancer analysis - community; local; town; patients; and work. Participants described working during the wildfires as difficult, with multiple challenges reported including communication difficulties, operational barriers such as power cuts, legislative barriers, logistical issues with obtaining and storing medication supplies, and lack of preparation, support, and funding. They highlighted a lack of operational and financial support from the government and received most assistance from local council bodies and local branches of professional pharmacy organizations. CONCLUSION: During disasters, community pharmacies help reduce the burden on public hospitals by maintaining medication supplies and treating patients with minor ailments. However, increased support and inclusion in disaster management planning is needed to continue this role.

Impact of pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health-system pharmacy team on improvement of medication access in the care of cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease requiring patients to take multiple medications per day. Multiple barriers exist affecting access and adherence. Studies have demonstrated the positive outcomes of pharmacist involvement in CF care. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of pharmacy technicians on medication access in the care of CF patients. METHODS: A retrospective review and analysis of patient medication profiles for patients followed by the integrated pharmacy care process model was performed. Two electronic prescription pathways with pharmacy technician involvement were analyzed. One pathway using a specialty pharmacy CF pharmacy technician (SP technician) examined CF specialty medication delivery times. The other pathway examined the impact of the clinic-based CF pharmacy technician (CB technician) on the number of filling pharmacies for patients. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty-three patients met inclusion criteria in the CF specialty medication delivery analysis, and 56 patients met inclusion criteria filling pharmacy analysis. The median delivery time for dornase alfa decreased from 8 days to 3 days, p < .00001. The number of patients utilizing one filling pharmacy increased from 8 (14%) to 21 (38%) (p = .005); and utilizing three filling pharmacies decreased from 14 (25%) to 1 (2%) (p = .003). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health-system pharmacy care process model improve medication access in the care of CF patients.