Perspectives on an amended law addressing pharmacists' availability in community pharmacies

Abstract

Rationale, aims, and objectives Little attention has been given to perceptions of pharmacist availability and role in the community setting following policy changes. The Pakistani model is particularly interesting as it encompasses three different pharmacy practice licensure types with major differences in credentials, training, and role. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study examined factors associated with the availability of pharmacists in the community setting in Pakistan following the implementation of a new policy regulating pharmacist presence in community pharmacies. Methods Fifteen participants were interviewed in three Pakistani cities (Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar). Those included pharmacy licence holders (types A, B, and C), non‐pharmacist owners and a pharmacist inspector who were purposively sampled to assure variance in education, gender, time in practice, and geographic location. Directed content analysis was performed based on the TPB framework. Description of themes came after discussions among the two authors. Results Findings indicated a discrepancy between participants about the value of having a pharmacist present with pharmacists showing more appreciation of the value they would provide. Participants felt that the new policy is attempting to change a norm that has existed for a long time. They also pointed to logistical challenges in making a pharmacist available including the feasibility of having a pharmacist present, the financial burden of hiring a pharmacist, and difficulty in enforcing the law uniformly across different geographical areas. Participants were concerned that some type A licence holders sensed that practicing in the community setting and the act of selling medications was beneath their social status as pharmacists. Conclusion A set of factors contribute to the availability of pharmacists in community pharmacies in Pakistan. The change in law should be supplemented with other interventions that contribute to making well‐trained pharmacy personnel available for serving patrons.

An Analysis of Pharmacy Policy Implementation in Bantul Regency, Indonesia

“…In Tanzania, the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority and its predecessor agents implementing the new policy, more visits will be needed. However, to achieve this, there needs to be a number of trained and competent inspectors and adequate resources for them to visit all places, in particular rural areas that have a higher level of pharmacist absenteeism [9].…”

“…It would make sense to review their current numbers and give them opportunities for training and growth. For those who are unwilling or unable to improve their training, new roles and opportunities in pharmacies should be provided that do not jeopardize patient safety [9].…”

“…The presence of apoteker will allow pharmacies to comply with the laws in this area. Another reason to choose the presence of a pharmacist is tomuaskan patients who visit the pharmacy who prefer to have apoteker, especially if they want to talk to the pharmacist aboutcertain therapeutic questions or if they want to consult a pharmacist instead of going to the doctor [9].…”

“…Pensale obat-medicines in Pakistan can be obtained from pharmacies, medical stores as well as community pharmacies. But unlike community pharmacies where all drugs can be sold, drugstores cannot sell drugs listed under "Schedule G" including immunological products, vaccines, biotechnology products, and narcotics.8 Pharmacy licenses have been divided into three categories: type A (licenses for premises include the presence of a person with a BPharm/PharmD degree; that is, a pharmacist with full training), type B (license for the place including the existence of a person having a 2-year diploma in pharmacy) and type C (license for the place including the presence of a person who successfully completes a certified drug dispensing course) [9].…”