Public Perceptions towards Implementation of Dispensing Separation: Results from a Cross Sectional Analysis

Abstract

The Malaysian healthcare system has yet to introduce a legislature that implements separation of physicians and pharmacists roles. More recently, a proposal was offered to take the Malaysian populations point of view towards dispensing separation. Therefore, the current study is aimed to assess general public perceptions towards implementation of dispensing separation in the state of Penang, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study design was adopted to conduct the study. A pre-validated questionnaire was offered to 1000 residents in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data explanation. SPSS® v 22.0 was used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance was taken to be p < 0.05. Sixty-three percent of the respondents were females with Malay being the prevailing ethnic group (n = 527, 52.7%). Seven hundred and sixteen (71.6%) of the respondents reported pharmacists as a reliable source of medicine-related information when compared with physicians provided when diagnosis has been made. Majority of the respondents (n = 876, 87.6%) assured their support towards implementation of dispensing separation in Malaysia. The respondents explained that dispensing separation will result in optimization of patient safety (n = 890, 89.0%), help in to reduce medication error (877, 87.7%) and will reduce the cost of medication (n = 777, 77.7%). There was a significant association reported between supporting future implementation of dispensing separation and all demographic variables (p < 0.05). In addition, the all reported associated were positively and moderate in association (φc ranging from 0.288 -0.335). Results of the current study presented a strong evidence of public support and benefits of dispensing separation in Malaysia. These findings are of high relevance to the policy makers as it provides an over view of public choice of implementing dispensing separation in Malaysia.

Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: public perception of pharmacists’ roles and agreement towards a separation policy

“…The results of this study as presented in Table indicate that most respondents were aware of pharmacists’ role in dispensing medicines, which corroborated the findings of a previous study and may be the result of efforts such as the “Know Your Pharmacist” and “Know Your Medicines” campaigns, which have focused on the role of pharmacists as medicines experts . This is also reflected in the respondents’ agreement that pharmacist checking of prescriptions was an important aspect of ensuring medication safety, that pharmacists were more knowledgeable than physicians with regard to medications and that they would prefer to receive consultations regarding medications at community pharmacies.…”

“…The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society has, in recent years, led campaigns promoting the role of pharmacists and the awareness of dispensing separation, because a lack of public knowledge is perceived as one of the main barriers to a policy shift. Several studies have attempted to explore the issue, particularly focusing on public knowledge and perceptions on the separation system itself . However, it is crucial to recognise public perception and support should be framed within the broader context of pharmacist roles, current dispensing practices, the Malaysian healthcare system and perceived readiness to implement such a policy.…”

“…Several studies have attempted to explore the issue, particularly focusing on public knowledge and perceptions on the separation system itself. 15,16 However, it is crucial to recognise public perception and support should be framed within the broader context of pharmacist roles, current dispensing practices, the Malaysian healthcare system and perceived readiness to implement such a policy. In this study, we examined public perception regarding these areas to develop a better understanding of how these areas affect public support of separation policy.…”

Exploring strategies to overcome extra-organisational challenges faced by community pharmacies in Sarawak, Malaysia

“…This puts the decision back to the consumers themselves, rather than the government taking sides . Indeed, the majority of respondents in a recent study viewed community pharmacists as being better equipped to dispense medicines compared to general practitioners, who were also perceived as having the tendency to overcharge for medicines supplied in the absence of consumer options …”

Separation of dispensing and prescribing in Malaysia: will the time come?

“…However, this will not be a major issue if pharmacies are co‐located within the vicinity of clinics and would be a slight inconvenience (if any) in return for patient safety. Furthermore, a recent local survey among consumers had reported that the majority of participants supported implementation of dispensing separation . Alternative models to pharmacy services in rural areas and whether incorporating a pharmacist into GP clinics in rural areas may be suitable options to consider in order to overcome issues with accessibility and convenience.…”