A Medication Audit to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Among Community Pharmacists Regarding Medication Dispensing and its Safety in Pregnancy
Authors/Creators
- 1. Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM Nagar, Trichy- Chennai Highway, Trichy
Description
Introduction: Medication use during pregnancy is challenging because of the potential fetal risk associated with its use. Pharmacists are primary health care providers for a pregnant woman. Hence the main objectives of the study were to determine the knowledge among community pharmacists towards drug dispensing and its safety in pregnancy and also to assess the knowledge and practice gaps by performing a medication audit. Materials and Methods: The study was a mixed method study conducted among community pharmacists within the field practice area of Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital for 3 months. 260 pharmacists were enrolled. The knowledge was assessed by a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. A medication audit was performed of the medications dispensed to pregnant women by the community pharmacist for the past 3 months. Results: The average knowledge score was 6.64 ± 1.36. The knowledge scores were higher among B. Pharm graduates and (7±1.8), Pharmacists with experience 5 to 9 years (7.6±0.9) which were statistically significant (p<0.05). Pharmacists dispensed ≤ 50 prescriptions per day (n=135, 52%). Analgesicswere most frequently dispensed (n=115, 44%). None the prescribed drugs belonged to FDA Category X and were dispensed in the prescribed dose, duration and frequency. However, 202 pharmacists dispensed drugs without prescription, at patient request (n=83, 33%) and based on previous knowledge (n=52, 20%) and experience of the pharmacist (n=41, 16%). Conclusion: The community pharmacists had average knowledge and a gap between knowledge and practice. Hence there is a need for continuous education programmes to ensure safe and effective drug dispensingamong pregnant women.
Abstract (English)
Introduction: Medication use during pregnancy is challenging because of the potential fetal risk associated with its use. Pharmacists are primary health care providers for a pregnant woman. Hence the main objectives of the study were to determine the knowledge among community pharmacists towards drug dispensing and its safety in pregnancy and also to assess the knowledge and practice gaps by performing a medication audit. Materials and Methods: The study was a mixed method study conducted among community pharmacists within the field practice area of Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital for 3 months. 260 pharmacists were enrolled. The knowledge was assessed by a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. A medication audit was performed of the medications dispensed to pregnant women by the community pharmacist for the past 3 months. Results: The average knowledge score was 6.64 ± 1.36. The knowledge scores were higher among B. Pharm graduates and (7±1.8), Pharmacists with experience 5 to 9 years (7.6±0.9) which were statistically significant (p<0.05). Pharmacists dispensed ≤ 50 prescriptions per day (n=135, 52%). Analgesicswere most frequently dispensed (n=115, 44%). None the prescribed drugs belonged to FDA Category X and were dispensed in the prescribed dose, duration and frequency. However, 202 pharmacists dispensed drugs without prescription, at patient request (n=83, 33%) and based on previous knowledge (n=52, 20%) and experience of the pharmacist (n=41, 16%). Conclusion: The community pharmacists had average knowledge and a gap between knowledge and practice. Hence there is a need for continuous education programmes to ensure safe and effective drug dispensingamong pregnant women.
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IJTPR,Vol13,Issue11,Article18.pdf
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Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2023-11-05
Software
References
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