The study of pharmaceutical specialists' thoughts concerning self-regulation of pharmaceutical activity in Ukraine

The aim of our study was to investigate the views of pharmacists on understanding the nature and necessity of implementing the self-regulation of pharmaceutical practice in Ukraine. We conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey among pharmaceutical specialists (n = 827) from the majority (16 out of 25) of the regions controlled by the Ukrainian government during the period from October till December 2018. This survey revealed lack of pharmacists' understanding the concept of self-regulation of pharmaceutical practice. On the one hand, most respondents do not oppose the implementing of self-regulation and don't reject exclusive membership in self-regulated pharmaceutical organizations for only pharmaceutical specialists, but on the other hand the survey showed a low willingness voluntarily to become a member of such organizations and also low level of knowledge of self-regulation process. This indicates the need to update the self-regulation process through providing training activities for pharmacists, the development of legal framework and the government's assistance of self-regulation of pharmaceutical practice.