Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice (Feb 2023)
Pharmaceutical Care Within Community Pharmacies: Tools Availability and Pharmacists’ Views, Wad-Medani, Sudan
Abstract
Ismaeil Eldooma,1,2 Maha Maatoug,2 Mirghani Yousif2 1National Health Insurance Fund. Planning, Research, and Information, Gezira State, Sudan; 2Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, SudanCorrespondence: Ismaeil Eldooma, National Health Insurance Fund, Department of Planning, Research, and Information, Gezira State, Sudan, Tel +249123162135, Email [email protected]: Pharmaceutical Care (PhC) services within community pharmacies (CPs) have become a vital issue in many developed countries.Purpose: This study assessed the availability of PhC tools and pharmacists’ views towards PhC services within CPs in Sudan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The participants were 120 community pharmacists.Results: Fifty-eight percent of respondents used to work in pharmacies near homes rather than within the marketplace. The study revealed that the overall tool availability of the assessed components and items was only 25% (Counselling areas 3%, Records 5%, Pharmacist identity 3%, Pharmacy phones 15%, Medical devices 38%, and Staff 29%). The result of pharmacists’ views towards the PhC concept, roles, and responsibilities showed a high level of agreement, at 88%, with a statistically insignificant difference between participants.Conclusion: Tools available within CPs were lower than required. However, pharmacists’ views showed a high agreement level towards PhC concept roles and responsibilities. Community pharmacists, academic sectors, and regulatory authorities must start initiatives to improve the provision of PhC tools for better patient care service delivery.Keywords: community pharmacies, community pharmacists, pharmaceutical care tools, pharmacists’ views, Sudan
