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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutics
Dispensing medications without prescription at Saudi community pharmacy: Extent and perception
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, Volume 21, No. 1, Year 2013
Notification
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Description
Objective: To investigate the dispensing behavior of pharmacists in retail pharmacy practice and to assess their attitude toward dispensing non-OTC drugs and scrutinize the causes of their malpractice; if in fact was perceived. Method: Between December 2010 and January 2011 retail pharmacies in Jeddah-KSA were visited randomly by a number of voluntary collaborators who played the role of asking for one or more of the following medications without providing a prescription: Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) or Cefaclor (Ceclor), Captopril (Capoten) and Fluoxetine (Prozac). Results: A total of 60 pharmacies were randomly included in this study; 100% of the pharmacists working were male, 96.7% of them were non-Saudis and only 2 (3.3%) were Saudis. In a total of 119 drug requests, almost all pharmacists (97.9%) handed out the antibiotic immediately, 100% dispensed captopril and 89.5% gave the antipsychotic simply by following the collaborator's request without even asking for a doctor's prescription. In the second part of the study (where a mini-questionnaire is administered), 85% of the pharmacists agreed to answer the mini-questionnaire, and 15% refused to participate. The highest reason given for their wrongdoing, was for that if the pharmacist did not, others - of neighboring pharmacies - would do the same, followed by that there is no available OTC list. Conclusion: The study confirmed that pharmacists are still violating the law, which is leading to a profound malpractice in retail pharmacies around the country. Consequently, regulations should be reviewed and structured educational campaigns are a must to both pharmacists and public. The OTC list should be generated, implemented, and monitored by Saudi regulators and penalize violators. © 2011 King Saud University.
Authors & Co-Authors
Almohammadi, Ameen Mosleh
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Badr, Aisha F.
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Bin Mahfouz, L.
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Samargandi, D.
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Al-Ahdal, Abdulrahman M.
Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
King Abdulaziz University
Statistics
Citations: 138
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.jsps.2011.11.003
ISSN:
13190164
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Participants Gender
Male