Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Medication Use Review among Community Pharmacists in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Medication use review (MUR) is an emerging concept in medicine management that has recorded success in many developed countries.Purpose: To evaluate knowledge, perception and practice of MUR among community pharmacists (CP) in southwestern Nigeria.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 CP recruited from Oyo and Osun states between January and March, 2015, using a pre-tested questionnaire. Demographic information and CP's knowledge, perception and current practice of MUR were evaluated using open-ended, closed-ended and Likert-scale questions. Respondents' scores for 6-item knowledge test questions and description of specific component of MUR services were categorised as score>3 (good knowledge) and score≤3 (poor knowledge). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Ranked variables were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test at p<0.05.Results: Fifty-nine (59.0%) CP from Oyo and 41(41.0%) from Osun state participated. Sixty-five (70.7%) had score>3 indicating "good" knowledge of MUR, while 27 (29.3%) had score≤3 suggesting "poor" knowledge. Forty-two (42.0%) claimed to provide MUR service; of this, 14 (33.3%) had scores>3 indicating those who gave correct description of specific component of MUR. Lack of adequate time for counselling (49; 49.5%) and lack of specialized training for pharmacists (45;45.5%) were cited as barriers to MUR practice. Majority (51; 51.5%) agreed that MUR service should be incorporated into community pharmacy practice.Conclusion: Knowledge of MUR concept among community pharmacists in Oyo and Osun states is considerable, but description of specific component of MUR services by respondents was poor. There is therefore a need for continuous training on emerging concepts among pharmacists, so as to stimulate interest in patient-oriented service

Evaluation of adverse drug reactions to artemisinin-based combination therapy in a Nigeria University Community

Purpose : The study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of adverse reactions to antimalarial drugs among residents of a Nigeria university community with a focus on arte- misinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Specifically; the profile of use; and the reporting culture of people with respect to experienced reactions were noted. Method : Ques- tionnaires were administered to respondents at the university health centre between November 2006 and January 2007. Information on demographic characteristics; nature of experienced adverse reactions and the most frequently used ACT; among other questions; were collected. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's Exact test were used to evaluate the distribution of respondent's opinion. Result: The study achieved a response rate of 86. The results revealed that 210 (70.0) of respondents said they had used artemisinin-based combination drugs while 134 (44.7) said they used artemisinin derivatives alone as monotherapy for malaria treatment. Artesunate plus amodiaquine 94 (31.3) as a co-packaged product was the most commonly used ACT. Incidence of the experienced adverse reactions to ACT was reported to be generally mild and well tolerated. Conclusion : Efforts to improve the use of ACT in the management of acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria is recommended. Furthermore; an effective mechanism to improve reporting of adverse effects of ACT is also recommended

Assessment of the Knowledge of Community Pharmacists Regarding Common Phytopharmaceuticals Sold in South Western Nigeria

PURPOSE : The study was carried out to assess the knowledge of community pharmacists who sell herbal/phytopharmaceutical formulations in pharmacy retail outlets. METHOD: Questionnaires were administered to the pharmacists to gather information on phytopharmaceuticals regarding their use; side effects; potential drug-herb interactions and contraindications of the phytopharmaceuticals sold in their retail outlets. Opinions on regulation; safety and efficacy of herbal remedies were also obtained. Descriptive statistical tests and median scores were used to evaluate the distribution of responses; opinions and perception of the pharmacists on their level of knowledge of the phytopharmaceuticals; and effects of demographic data on the pharmacists' knowledge of the herbal remedies. RESULTS: The study revealed that 31 (62 percent) sold imported herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. Seventy-two (72] percent had received no postgraduate training on herbal medications. Most of the community pharmacists agreed that they did not possess adequate knowledge of potential interaction profiles and side effects of the herbal remedies sold. The training in pharmacy schools on herbal drugs and sale of phytopharmaceuticals in their outlets also had no influence (p greater than 0.05) on desired knowledge. Community pharmacists with less than 10 years of experience in the practice however possessed better knowledge than pharmacists with more than ten years of professional practice (p=0.05) CONCLUSIONS: There was gross inadequacy in the pharmacists' knowledge of the phytopharmaceuticals sold in pharmacies indicating an urgent need for intensive training in order to render better services to their clients