The evolving role of community pharmacists during COVID-19 in the UAE; assessing preparedness and knowledge

Abstract

Objectives To investigate community pharmacists’ knowledge about COVID-19 and their preparedness for the pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional online survey was conducted (in community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates) over 3 weeks (24 May 2020 to 14 June 2020). A proportionate random sample of 491 participants was invited to take part. The SPSS version 26 was used for data management and analysis. Key Findings The majority of participants (n = 400) had good knowledge about COVID-19 and high level of preparedness for the pandemic control. Most pharmacists agreed (212, 53.0%) or strongly agreed (91, 22.8%) that they have a major role in the management of the ongoing crisis. Most participants had good awareness about the most common methods of COVID-19 transmission (359, 89.7%) and symptoms encountered (368, 92.0%). However, approximately a quarter of participants (103, 25.7%) incorrectly thought COVID-19 was caused by a DNA virus. Participants who had 5–10 and >10 years of experience were 3.95 (P = 0.03) and 1.59 (P = 0.01) times, respectively, were more likely to have good knowledge compared to participants with less than 2 years of experience. Those with good knowledge were more likely to have a specific area for customers with suspected COVID-19 symptoms compared to those with poor knowledge (P = 0.031). Conclusion This study indicates that years of experience and good knowledge on COVID-19 were significant determinants of pharmacists’ preparedness for the pandemic control.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of community pharmacists regarding COVID-19: A paper-based survey in Vietnam

“…This standardized method has been used for conducting abundant studies all over the world. Regarding COVID-19, globally, many studies on the KAP of pharmacists and pharmacy students were carried out [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Up to 2021 Jul 02, there are only two published articles assessing COVID-19 related KAP of healthcare workers in Vietnam [13,14].…”

Changes in Japanese Pharmacists’ Recognition of Their Role in Community Public Health before and after the Spread of COVID-19

“…There were significantly more community pharmacy pharmacists (81.1%, n = 116) and drugstore pharmacists (93.8%, n = 61) than hospital pharmacists (67.2%, n = 80) who answered that the number of questions regarding infectious diseases and infection prevention was increasing, and one of these reasons was considered to be the pharmacists’ close relationship with the community [ 20 ]. The role of pharmacists in the community in Japan is similar to that in other countries [ 21 , 22 ]. Especially in the case of drugstore pharmacists and community pharmacists, there are many general citizens who use drugstores or pharmacies to purchase over-the-counter drugs, infection prevention goods, and other items, without going to the hospital.…”

“…Therefore, these results suggest that more than half of all pharmacists are not confident in their knowledge because the pharmacists did not actively perform such work before the spread of COVID-19. In fact, experience-based knowledge differences have also been reported in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), and how long pharmacists have been engaged in a task has been shown to affect their skills [ 22 ]. In the future, in Japan’s ageing society, awareness of the prevention of illness will continue to increase, and it is expected that the number of ordinary citizens who use community pharmacies and drug stores rather than going to hospitals will increase.…”

Application of Scoring and Decision Models to Evaluate Procurement Determinants in Community Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria

“…In Table 4, Garrett's scoring method clearly showed that the most important consideration was based on 'quality assurance' with Ranked 1 with the highest score of 63.36; in terms of perceived or known efficacy, safety, awareness of manufacturing standards, the integrity of packaging, storage, in line with the core value of pharmaceutical care. This is by far the most important consideration expected from community pharmacists because the emphasis is on the safety 13,14 and health of the patient consuming the pharmaceutical product 31 . Interestingly, 'Access to credit facility and 'Timeliness of delivery" which were ranked 2 nd and 3 rd respectively are indicative of the expectations of community pharmacists from the supply chain.…”

“…Therefore, this study explored using quantitative research techniques, the determinants informing buying decisions by community pharmacists in Southwest Nigeria. Community Pharmacists (CPs) are frontline healthcare personnel at the primary healthcare level 13,14 . They are expected to ensure safe, accessible, and affordable medicines.…”