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The policy of long-term prescription for chronic diseases in China is gradually being improved and implemented， and external long-term prescription dispensing is being encouraged. The long-term prescription policy runs through the links of drug supply， equipment， use and policy， involving government departments such as medical security and health， as well as stakeholders such as patients， medical institutions and designated detail pharmacies. There are still some problems in the external dispensing of long-term prescriptions， such as the disunity of drug catalogue and the need for coordination among regulatory parties in the policy link； the need to improve the participation enthusiasm and service ability in the equipment link； the increased difficulty of prescription management， the need to improve the circulation platform in the use link. The promotion of external long-term prescription policy requires health insurance， medical service， and the medicine industry co-development， multi-party participation， and policy coordination. Among them， the “dual channel” policy， the policy of centralized medicine procurement， and the pharmacy included in outpatient overall management policy have all played a positive role in promoting the implementation of external long-term prescription dispensing for chronic diseases. It is necessary to improve supporting policies and implement regulatory responsibilities in the policy link， promote drug classification and service capabilities in the equipment link， improve the electronic prescription circulation platform， and strengthen prescription management in use link， so as to promote the implementation of external long-term prescription dispensing.
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OBJECTIVE To predict the development trends of licensed pharmacist staffing in retail pharmacies within the western China and provide reference for the formulation of policies related to licensed pharmacists. METHODS Based on the data of retail pharmacies and licensed pharmacists in the western China from 2016 to 2022， a grey model was constructed to analyze and predict the number development trends of retail pharmacies and licensed pharmacists in the western China from 2023 to 2026. RESULTS Currently， the 1∶1 staffing requirement for licensed pharmacists and retail pharmacies had been met in Shaanxi， Guangxi and Gansu. Based on current trends， Inner Mongolia， Chongqing， Yunnan， and Qinghai were expected to meet the 1∶1 staffing requirement for licensed pharmacists and retail pharmacies between 2023 and 2026. Sichuan and Xinjiang were also expected to meet this requirement in the future. However， there was still a significant gap in Guizhou， Xizang， and Ningxia towards achieving the above goals. CONCLUSIONS There is still a discrepancy between the deployment of licensed pharmacists and the national requirements in certain western provinces. Local authorities should formulate relevant policies according to local circumstances. Regions that have already met or will soon achieve the staffing requirement for licensed pharmacists should continue to enhance the quantity and quality of their licensed pharmacist workforce. In areas where meet this criterion in the short term is not feasible， it is necessary to strengthen the development of the licensed pharmacist workforce， and control the number of new retail pharmacies.
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OBJECTIVE To pr ovide theoretic support for Guiyang to scientifically guide the development of drug retail industry and implement national health policies . METHODS The data were collected through statistical yearbook ，data cloud ， coordinate acquisition device of Application Programming Interface of Baidu map and so on. The spatial distribution characteristics and accessibility of medical insurance designated retail pharmacies （shorted for “designated pharmacies ”）in Guiyang were analyzed by spatial analysis based on Geographic Information System. The related factors for the distribution of designated pharmacies in Guiyang were analyzed by statistical method. RESULTS The number of designated pharmacies ，designated pharmacies per thousand people and designated pharmacies per 10 km2 in Guiyang increased from 2 018，0.41 and 2.51 in 2020 to 2 500，0.42 and 3.11 in 2021，with growth rates of 23.89％，2.44％ and 23.90％ respectively. The service area of the designated pharmacies that residents of Guiyang reached within 15 minutes on foot was 10.27％ of the total service area of designated pharmacies in Guiyang. The results of correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between the regional gross regional production ，total retail sales of consumer goods ，population，urban per capita disposable income and the number of designated pharmacies in Guiyang were 0.999，0.999，0.977 and 0.992，respectively （all P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of designated pharmacies is insufficient in Guiyang ，the development of designated pharmacies in various administrative regions is uneven ，and the layout of pharmacies is significantly affected by economic and demographic factors. It is suggested that the local government should explore the strategy of scientifically and reasonably expanding the coverage of designated pharmacies in urban and rural areas，promote the rational layout of pharmacies with appropriate economic and demographic policies ，and pay attention to improving the service capacity of designated pharmacies ，so as to improve the quality of life of the people and guide the healthy and high-quality development of drug retail industry.
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OBJECTIVE：To standardize the use of children’s over-the-counter（OTC）drugs in China，control the risk of children’s self medication and ensure the safety of children’s medication. METHODS：The questionnaire was randomly distributed to pharmacy practitioners in retail pharmacies in 13/parents in 16 provinces and municipalities directly under the central government. The results of questionnaire survey were analyzed descriptively. The corresponding suggestions were put forward for the problems existing in the use of OTC drugs for children among pharmacy practitioners in retail pharmacies and parents.RESULTS：Totally 5 367 people filled the questionnaire at pharmacies，and 5 353 questionnaires were filled validly with effective rate of 99.74％；the number of consumers（parents）who filled the questionnaires was 6 111，and 5 094 questionnaires were filled validly with effective rate of 83.36％. The results of survey showed that 93.67％ of retail pharmacies were equipped with 1-2licensed pharmacists；most of the employees in pharmacies had college degree（46.59％），and their professional knowledge was relatively weak，and only 30.00％ of them were very familiar with pharmaceutical professional knowledge. Pharmacy practitioners could provide basic pharmaceutical care，but they were not sensitive to the information of children’s age and weight；only 44.11％of the practitioners would approve the dosage according to the age and weight of the children；98.09％ of pharmacies would regularly conduct OTC drugs knowledge training，but they did not pay attention to the knowledge of children related to drug use. About half of the pharmacy practitioners were very clear about the indications，usage and dosage，precautions of OTC drugs forchildren. About 70％ of parents did not fully understand the difference between prescription drugs，green OTC drugs and red OTC drugs，and did not know the risk of home OTC treatment；63.06％ of parents chose OTC drugs according to their previous experience， and 23.05％ of parents relied on drug advertisements to choose OTC drugs； 92.64％ of parents would read the drug instruction carefully before using OTC drugs， but they had blind spots in understanding many contents of the drug instruction. In the process of OTC drug use，46.21％ of parents had used adult OTC drugs for their children，and 41.54％ of parents did not convert the amount of children；52.89％ of parents said that their children suffered from adverse reactions after taking OTC drugs. CONCLUSIONS：The pharmacy practitioners have low education on the whole，professional level needs to be improved，their understanding of children’s OTC drugs is not comprehensive enough，and there is a lack oftraining on children’s medication knowledge. Parents have a poor awareness of children’s OTC drugs，and there are many problems in the process of using children’s OTC drugs，such as inaccurate dosage，using adult’s drugs. It is suggested that we should improve the access standard of pharmacy practitioners and increase the number of licensed pharmacists；organize special training on safe drug use for children to improve the pharmaceutical service ability of pharmacies；strengthen the supervision of retail pharmacies and formulate pharmaceutical care standards for the use of OTC drugs for children；strengthen the publicity and education on rational drug use for children and popularize the knowledge of safe drug use of OTC drugs for children；give full play to the guiding role of pharmacists and pay attention to the medication guidance of parents.
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OBJECTIVE：To provide assistance for the smooth implementation of classification management policies of retail pharmacies in Guangdong province and the scientific supervision of retail pharmacies by relevant departments. METHODS ：In this study，key interviews were conducted among 68 interviewees，involving experts from Guangdong drug regulatory department ，head of retail pharmacies and research experts on relevant policies of universities. The current situation ，problems and suggestions of the classification management policy of retail pharmacies in Guangdong province were summarized. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS ： The implementation of the classification management policies for retail pharmacies in Guangdong province operated well. Drug regulatory authorities at all levels could conduct daily supervision in accordance with policy requirements. Retail pharmacies operated in strict accordance with the classification management policy and established a relatively complete quality management system. However ，there were still problems such as difficulty in policy implementation ，insufficient policy clarity ，increased regulatory pressure and regulatory risks from government regulatory agencies ，rising operating costs and increasing pressure in retail pharmacies，the large gap of licensed pharmacists ，difficult to investigate and deal with “affiliation of certificate ”behavior，and difficult survival for remote pharmacies ，and the impact on the convenience of drug use of the public. It is suggested to improve the content of the policy ，introduce related supporting measures ，strengthen the construction of the supervisory team ，increase policy publicity，improve the ways and methods to investigate and deal with the “affiliation of certificate ”behavior of licensed pharmacists， and help retail pharmacies to diversify their operations and chain operations. It is recommended that relevant government departments should further improve the content of the policy and actively adjust the supervision methods to make the policy better implemented.
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OBJECTIVE： To investigate the distribution， drug supply and quantity of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies around Third Grade Class A Hospitals， and to provide reference for decision-making of related management departments. METHODS： Field investigation and questionnaire survey were used to investigate the distribution， type， operating area， annual turnover， drug type， ranking of consumption sum， daily prescription amount and pharmacist allocation of 5 Third Grade Class A Hospitals in Beijing and general information of 100 surveyed pharmacists in 2017. RESULTS： There were 43 retail pharmacies in total within 1 km of 5 Third Grade Class A Hospitals， with an average of 8.60 retail pharmacies for each hospital. The number of retail pharmacies with distance between 200-400 m and 800-1 000 m was the largest （11）， of which 21 （48.84％） were chain drugstores. The operating area of 38 pharmacies （88.37％） was in the range of 100-175 m2， mainly ranging 100-125 m2 （16 pharmacies， 37.21％）. The annual turnover of 40 pharmacies were counted and ranged 50-10 000 ten thousand yuan， among which the pharmacies 0-200 m away from the hospital had the highest annual turnover. The average variety of drugs （prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs） was 2 511 kinds. 34 pharmacies （79.07％） had more varieties of over-the-counter drugs than prescription drugs， and the consumption sum of over-the-counter drugs was higher than that of prescription drugs in 26 pharmacies （60.47％）. Top 3 drugs in the list of consumption sum were antineoplastic drugs， cardiovascular drugs and anti-infective drugs. Average daily prescriptions of 28 drugstores （65.11％） were less than 10 pieces； average daily prescription were more than 20 pieces in only 7 pharmacies （16.28％）. On average， each pharmacy had 7.4 staff members and 1.37 licensed pharmacists. 58 staff members’ first degree was junior college （58％）， 38 staff members’ first degree was technical secondary school or high school （38％）， and only 3 （3％） staff members’ first degree was undergraduates or above. CONCLUSIONS： With the gradual promotion of “health care policy” and the outflow of more hospital prescriptions， the retail pharmacies around hospitals should increase their numbers， expand the operating area， accelerate the construction of licensed pharmacists and improve the education level of pharmacists so as to improve the pharmaceutical care ability.
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OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving the pharmaceutical care ability of the retail pharmacies.METHODS:The questionnaires were designed to investigate 180 licensed pharmacists from 180 retail pharmacies.The survey data were analyzed statistically.RESULTS:A total of 180 questionnaires were sent out,and 150 effective questionnaires were collected with effective recovery rate of 83.33％.Among 150 investigated pharmacists,the junior college degree or lower accounted for 74.67％,and the professionals of pharmacy or related only accounted for 44.66％;the pharmacists who always and often provided medication guidance accounted for 72.67％ and 21.33％,respectively;the pharmacists who always and often developed prescription review accounted for 53.33％ and 27.33％,respectively;the pharmacists who always and often collected complaint suggestions accounted for 50.67％ and 35.33％,respectively;the pharmacists who always and often established medication history both only accounted for 1.33％;the pharmacists who always and often retrospected drug use of patients accounted for 18.67％ and 14.00％,respectively;the pharmacists who always and often conducted lectures on health education and drug use accounted for 4.00％ and 6.00％,respectively;the pharmacists who satisfied with the work accounted for 58.67％.CONCLUSIONS:Recently,the degree and professional ability of the licensed pharmacists are relatively low in retail pharmacies in Hefei.The pharmaceutical care contents of drugstores are unitary,the work satisfaction degree of the licensed pharmacists is unsatisfactory.Although they can provide the patients with drug use guidance basically,the projects such as carrying out prescription auditing and collecting complaint suggestions need to be further strengthened.Less work has been done in establishing medication history and retrospecting drug use.So,we need to take some measures to improve the pharmaceutical care ability of retail pharmacies effectively.
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OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving classification management and specifying standards of retail phar-macies in China. METHODS:The implementation status and standards of retail pharmacies'classification management in China were analyzed by using the method of comparative analysis. In view of the effects of classification management on retail pharmacy and its implementation difficulties,corresponding improvement measures were put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:There are difference in the implementation status and standards of retail pharmacies'classification management in the national provinces and cities. Since the implementation of pilot in 2007,the main effects include retail pharmacies facing the survival of the fittest whipsaws pattern,the remote township small retail pharmacies facing a transition;the main implementation difficulties include gov-ernment failing to give a full propoganda the classification management of retail pharmacies,the construction of licensed pharma-cist team to be strengthened. It is suggested to include the ability of pharmaceutical care and credit level into the standard,imple-ment dynamic management,and complement classification management of retail pharmacies with the construction of licensed phar-macist team.
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OBJECTIVE:To establish the talent training mode for pharmaceutical specialty in retail pharmacies based on mod-ern apprenticeship,and improve the teaching quality of pharmacy major in vocational colleges. METHODS:According to the basic content of talent training program,the contents including the talent training goal orientation,the recruitment mode,the teaching plan formulation,the curriculum system development,the teaching arrangement,the length of schooling and the certificate acquisi-tion were studied to analyze the feasibility of carrying out the modern apprenticeship of pharmaceutical specialty in retail pharma-cies. RESULTS:Pharmaceutical talents should master the necessary medicine theory,knowledge of relevant laws,regulations and stores management;the trained people could be an enterprise recruitment of employees,enrolled high school students or the two-screening-students;the practical skills training should be highlighted,both sides of school and enterprise should work together to develop the teaching plan formulation;and the curriculum development committee was established to determine the level of knowledge and ability that the retail pharmacies must know and to give the formation of the course;double subject education,dou-ble tutor teaching,work and study alternation were used in the teaching implementation;and flexible educational system was de-signed. CONCLUSIONS:The establishment of talent training mode for pharmaceutical specialty in retail pharmacies based on mod-ern apprenticeship can improve the teaching quality of pharmacy major in vocational colleges. However,the establishment of course system should consider the sustainable development of students,and cautiously set targeted courses based on the characteris-tics of talents requirements in retail pharmacies.
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Aims: In much of Africa, Ghana inclusive, malaria has traditionally been diagnosed and treated presumptively: any patient with fever was presumed to have malaria and treated with antimalarial drugs. In this study, the retail pharmacies practitioners’ perspectives on the implementation of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests was sought and decisions analyzed in themes, using Realist Conceptual Approach. Study Design: Cross-sectional quantitative and purposive study. Place and Duration of Study: Registered private pharmacies in Ashanti Region of Ghana, between September and November, 2013. Methodology: A structured pre-tested questionnaires (in non-study area) was selfadministered to 99 practitioners in retail pharmacies to generated information on Practitioner’s characteristics, knowledge and experience on the MRDT kits, acceptance and willingness to use the test kits and challenge towards the use of the kit, for the thematic analysis. Results: Practitioners within the age bracket of 30-40 years were highest (43%) and male representation was 67%. Pharmacists were 67% of practitioners and 17.1% had postgraduate qualification. 96.03% had ample knowledge of test kit and 0.99% use it always and logistic regression indicated no significance (Chi-square=0.751; LR=0.540 at p<0.05). Of the patients, 47.52% strongly agree to implement and 48.51 agree. 60.39% were definite to suggest to colleague and logistic regression indicated significant relation (Chi-square=0.000; LR=0.006 at p<0.05). 44.4% were very satisfied with presumptive diagnosis while 1% very dissatisfied. Conclusion: The findings indicated willingness to implement the policy but presumptive diagnosis is still the practice. The evidence provides an opportunity to adapt a conceptual framework leading to the uptake of the policy.