Outputs and Outcome of the Pharmacy Directly-Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Initiative in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This was an evaluation of the effectiveness of the technical assistance package for the Pharmacy DOTS Initiative (PDI) in the Philippines.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> Five pre-identified implementation sites were included in the evaluation. A survey was conducted to ascertain pharmacies currently implementing PDI and the number of TB presumptive cases referred by these pharmacies. Data abstraction was performed to determine the change in the number of TB cases seen by local TB programs after its implementation.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Findings revealed that the proportion of pharmacies actively referring presumptive TB patients is not significantly lower than 60% (p=0.1892). Furthermore, results showed that the average monthly referrals were not statistically lower than 20 clients per month (p=0.9159). Nevertheless, interrupted time series analysis found no statistically significant immediate effects (p=0.516) and long-term effects (p=0.3673) on the total number of new TB cases identified after the PDI was implemented in the year 2014.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The PDI was able to achieve outputs related to pharmacy engagement and referral of TB presumptive clients. However, the PDI was unsuccessful in increasing the actual number of TB presumptive cases seen by local TB programs in its implementation sites.</p>