Pharmaceutical care provided by community pharmacists for diabetic patients in the city of Riyadh

ABSTRACT

An investigation using questionnaires, in currently practising community pharmacists in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia was carried out to determine if they are currently in a position to provide pharmaceutical care for diabetic patients. The questionnaires were pre-tested and then given to 178 community pharmacists in Riyadh. All the respondents proved to be non-Saudi in origin and the vast majority in the age range between 20-40 years. 78% of them had between land 10 years practical pharmaceutical experience. The investigation showed that although pharmacists provided advice for the correct administration they were more reluctant to offer advice on possible side effects, dose adjustment, drug interactions, storage and missed doses. Additionally, assessment of patients' compliance was only 'sometimes' carried out. The survey also revealed that pharmacists were aware of their limitation of knowledge in the area of diabetes and this made them less likely to provide general medical information about diabetes. This survey established that the provision of pharmaceutical care for diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia has achieved a level of service, and this survey suggests that some pharmaceutical practices of community pharmacists are satisfactory, whereas others require modification