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Pharmacists in the community and ambulatory settings are primed for collaboration that can optimize care. Now is the time to capitalize on the momentum and positive disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic that propelled pharmacists and their organizations to respond with agility to deliver care in new ways, pivot to develop new partnerships, and leverage technology. The growth of collaborative practice agreements within ambulatory care settings, the enhancement of clinically integrated networks, and the growth in professional organization support create an environment ripe for implementation of pharmacist-to-pharmacist collaborations. The American College of Clinical Pharmacy 2022 Clinical Practice Affairs B Committee sought out literature, as well as prepublication contemporary examples, demonstrating models of intraprofessional collaboration among pharmacists in community and ambulatory settings. The committee formulated six key recommendations to optimize pharmacist collaborations in the community and ambulatory settings and formed a framework for practical implementation strategies at the levels of individual pharmacists, organizations, and educational institutions and for legislative advocacy.Copyright © 2023 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.
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Introduction: Safety culture is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisation's health and safety management.(1) Community pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring optimum medication safety however the study of patient safety culture in this setting is less developed than in secondary care. Aim(s): The study aim was to measure patient safety culture in Irish community pharmacies using the validated Community Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC).(2) Methods: The survey consisted of 39 questions based on a 5-point Likert scale, within 11 dimensions. Demographic questions were asked including the pharmacist's role within the pharmacy. A free-text box allowed respondents to give comments on the survey topic. The online questionnaire, hosted on Microsoft Forms, was emailed to all 3943 community pharmacists registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in November 2021. A reminder email was sent 14 days later. Data were analysed in Microsoft Excel. Categorical data were presented as frequencies (%). The positive rate response (PRR) of each survey question and dimension was calculated.(2) The PRR is the mean percentage of positive Likert scale responses to each item and each dimension of the survey. A PRR >75% indicated a strong safety culture, while a PRR <50% indicated a dimension that may be improved upon. Free-text responses were explored by thematic analysis. Result(s): The survey was completed by 173 pharmacists, response rate 4.5%. Of these, 33 (19.1%) were superintendent pharmacist, 65 (37.6%) supervising pharmacist, 53 (30.6%) staff pharmacist and 22 (12.7%) locum pharmacist. The mean %PRR across the 11 survey dimensions was 72.3%. Individual statements with highest PRR were Our pharmacists tell patients important information about their new prescriptions (PRR=91.3%) and Staff are treated fairly when they make mistakes (PRR=87.3%). Individual statements with lowest PRR were Interruptions/distractions in this pharmacy (from phone calls, faxes, customers, etc.) make it difficult for staff to work accurately (PRR=6.4%) and We feel rushed when processing prescriptions (PRR=8.1%). The dimension of Organizational Learning-Continuous Improvement demonstrated the highest PRR (81.6%), followed by Response to Mistakes (PRR=81.2%). The dimension of Staffing, work pressure and pace demonstrated the lowest PRR (35.6%). Respondents rated overall patient safety in their pharmacy as excellent/very good/good (88.4%). Differences in perception of patient safety emerged between pharmacists with different levels of responsibility. Patient safety rating was described as fair/poor by 0.0% of superintendent pharmacists, 6.3% of supervising pharmacists, 17.0% of staff pharmacists and 31.8% of locum pharmacists. Fifty-one (29.0%) respondents provided free-text comments. Emergent themes were impact on safety culture of staffing issues;staff training;dispensary workload;and dispensary work pressures. Conclusion(s): The study was limited by low response rate. This may reflect its timing during the COVID-19 pandemic and pharmacists' prioritisation of clinical roles at that time. Respondents reported a broadly positive patient safety culture in the pharmacy in which they work. Differences in perception of safety culture were observed between those with differing levels of responsibility in community pharmacy practice.
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Introduction: One in six adults are affected by hearing loss, and this number increases with age.(1) Inadequate communication is a barrier to the delivery of effective care for people with hearing loss.(2) Communication regarding medicines is particularly relevant to the pharmaceutical care of older people who are more likely to be living with hearing loss, have multiple comorbidities and experience polypharmacy, a risk factor for adverse drug events. This study sought to explore factors that facilitate and impede communication with people with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) in the community pharmacy, to provide a base upon which to identify solutions/ interventions to improve these interactions. Aim(s): To explore the barriers and facilitators to effective communication with people with age-related hearing loss in the community pharmacy setting. Method(s): This qualitative study consisted of semistructured interviews with people with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), older people (>50 years old) without hearing loss, and focus groups and interviews with community pharmacists, conducted between March - June 2022. Participants were recruited purposively via advert and snowballing. Interviews and focus groups were conducted using Microsoft Teams or Zoom;two interviews were held by telephone. Data was analysed using the framework method. Result(s): Sixteen people with age-related hearing loss and three older people without hearing loss took part. Eight community pharmacists took part across two focus groups and one interview. Four main themes were identified. The first was 'grappling with the environment'. This theme reflects the multitude of environmental barriers to communication and person-centred pharmaceutical care such as heavy workload, time constraints, lack of privacy, noise levels and Covid-19 safety measures on communication. The second was 'promoting acknowledgment and inclusion of hearing loss in the pharmacy'. This theme captures the perception among patients that their hearing loss is not relevant to the community pharmacy setting and that more could be done to signify that a pharmacy recognises the needs of those with hearing loss. Third, 'patient perceptions and use of community pharmacy services'. This theme highlights the awareness and perceptions of the role of the pharmacy that is, primarily or exclusively as a place to collect prescriptions and the limited interaction with pharmacy personnel. The final theme was 'differing perceptions of patients and pharmacists about communication'. This theme articulates the varying patient-provider perceptions about communication and levels of awareness among pharmacists about the key facilitators to communication. Conclusion(s): This study garnered rich insights about the experiences of accessing and providing pharmaceutical care for people with age-related hearing loss within the community pharmacy setting. However, due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, data collection was chiefly conducted online and the findings cannot be considered reflective of the experiences of older people facing digital exclusion. There is clearly a need to improve pharmacists' awareness of, access to and implementation of strategies, adaptations, and assistive technologies to facilitate communication with people with hearing loss. Future research should identify interventions to support the implementation of strategies/adaptations that are tailored to the needs of people with hearing loss and pharmacists in order to engender hearing-friendly community pharmacies.
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Introduction: Older people face numerous challenges and safety risks when managing multiple medicines. They are required to cope with complex and changing regimens and co-ordinate input from multiple healthcare professionals. If not well managed, medicines can cause harm, and older people are more susceptible to errors. Some older people can devise and implement strategies to manage their medicines, e.g. creating checklists, ensuring timely supplies, solving problems, and seeking help (1). However, no interventions address the multiple tasks polypharmacy patients must perform to safely manage their regimens. Aim(s): To develop an intervention to support medicines self-management for older people living with frailty and polypharmacy using experience-based co-design (EBCD) (2). Method(s): Following video or audio-recorded qualitative interviews with 32 older people taking 5 or more medicines, a 'trigger film' of patients' medicines management experiences was produced and used during EBCD to facilitate priority setting. Separate meetings were held (1) with 16 staff (2 GPs, 4 GP practice administrators, 4 GP practice pharmacists, 1 practice lead, 2 senior nurses, 2 pharmacy technicians, 1 community pharmacist) and (2) with 13 patients and 2 family members, followed by a joint meeting with 8 older people and 9 staff where a shared set of three priorities was agreed. Two subsequent co-design workshops with 6 patients, 2 family members and 7 staff developed three candidate interventions. Workshop 1 explored key themes from the trigger film to develop solutions. Workshop 2 reviewed solutions and further developed design ideas. Intervention components were merged and those addressing patient safety challenges were retained to form the prototype intervention. Ethical approval was obtained for the interviews included in the trigger film, but not required for EBCD. EBCD meetings and workshops were conducted as quality improvement: people involved were collaborators, personal information was not captured, discussions were not recorded or analysed. Result(s): Co-design priorities were to support patients in: day-to-day practical medicines management;understanding the wider medicines management system;communication with healthcare teams. The three solutions were: a quick-start guide to managing multiple medicines including talking about medicines and managing new routines;tips and tricks to support day-to-day management, including planning and adherence tools;a tool supporting preparation for medication reviews and asking questions about medicines. After merging intervention components and identifying those addressing medicinesself- management patient safety challenges, five areas were retained for the prototype intervention: checking what you get;keeping on top of supplies;monitoring how you take your medicines;times when problems are more likely;and how do I know if I need help? Discussion/Conclusion: Through EBCD patients and staff worked together to improve people's experiences of managing medicines and to enhance safety. The prototype intervention addresses five areas where older people with complex medicines regimens require support. The intervention requires feasibility testing and subsequent robust evaluation. Strengths and limitations: * A variety of staff roles joined the co-design, offering multiple different perspectives on medicines management * EBCD meetings and workshops were run online to avoid Covid infections. This may have excluded older people with no access to internet.
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Community pharmacists' roles have expanded in recent years to include offering test and treat programs where they perform testing on Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-waived point-of-care testing (POCT) devices to diagnose specific acute infectious conditions, such as influenza and group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis, and then potentially prescribe and dispense appropriate antimicrobials. Availability of these services in pharmacies has several benefits, including increased access to care, decreased overutilization of other health care services, and decreased antimicrobial resistance. States have different requirements for collaborative practice agreements and reimbursement for these clinical services in community pharmacies. Several studies have looked at outcomes related to community pharmacies implementing test and treat programs for influenza and/or GAS. Other studies looked at outcomes related to implementing testing for SARS-CoV-2 and referring for treatment. Most studies described successful implementation and barriers to integration of these programs into pharmacy workflow. Some studies showed that patients want these services to be offered in community pharmacies and are willing to pay for the services. Data show that these services are cost effective compared to physician provider-based treatment. Newer CLIA-waived POCT technology may increase implementation of these services, but studies are needed to evaluate their utility in community pharmacies. Pharmacy schools should implement widespread training on these devices, and research should continue in this area to test the use of newer technology (i.e., multiplexed devices) and their economic impact.Copyright © 2023 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.
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Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic has been felt in all areas of health care. We performed a weekly survey amongst the members of the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP) to better understand its effects and how they evolved over time. We specifically studied alterations in the care for patients with cancer as well as in the work of oncology pharmacists. Method(s):An online survey was developed by ESOP to compile data about the effects of COVID-19 on the work practices of professionals working in the field of oncology pharmacy. The survey was distributed electronically on a weekly basis from April 6thto June 28th. Result(s):A total of 1146 responses were gathered from respondents in 60 different countries. At any given time point, between 25% and 38% of the respondents had staff infected with COVID-19. In total, 29% of hospital pharmacists reported shortages of drugs necessary for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, and almost 50% also faced shortages of drugs necessary for the treatment of cancer patients. In addition, the majority of hospital pharmacists reported a decrease in planned surgery for oncology patients, as well as a decrease in the amount of chemotherapy preparations. Community pharmacists faced shortages of personal protective equipment in 40% of cases and shortages of drugs in 60%. Conclusion(s):The work of oncology pharmacists both in the clinical setting as well as in the community has been effected profoundly by the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2021 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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1. Introduction: Asthma causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. COVID-19 scenario has revealed lacks in the current model of asthma management in Primary Care (PC). 2. Aims and objectives: The aim was to build a reference framework and address patients' needs to help asthma management improvement in a COVID-19 scenario. 3. Method(s): A scientific committee from the Spanish Respiratory Group in PC (GRAP) defined an evidence-based gold standard model for asthma care pathway including: suspected asthma, confirmed asthma, asthma follow-up, asthma exacerbations and special situations in asthma. Multidisciplinary teams (family doctors, PC nurses, practice clerks, and community pharmacists) were recruited from 17 PC settings in 7 Spanish regions to characterise their local asthma care pathway and to identify room for improvement in different areas according to previously defined gold-standards. A national online Digital Innovation Laboratory was held with representatives of the local teams to prioritise areas of improvement in terms of clinical impact and to co-design action plans. 4. Result(s): 43 to-be-improved areas in asthma care pathways were identified, classified into different categories. Continuing care, collaborative work between Primary and Secondary care, availability of qualified healthcare staff, data recording and management, digital transformation and patient empowerment were some of the areas to prioritize. 5. Conclusion(s): Multidisciplinary pre-structured team work with Digital Innovation Laboratory support could help to redesign the asthma patient's pathway and to improve the effective asthma management in a COVID-19 scenario.
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Objective: To evaluate practice transformation team (PTT) members' perceptions of the Flip the Pharmacy (FtP) initiative as a strategy for implementing and improving community pharmacy-based patient care. Method(s): FtP is a national 2-year practice transformation initiative for implementing enhanced patient care and medication optimization services at community pharmacies, launched in 2019 with 28 PTTs including over 500 pharmacy locations. Key informant interviews were conducted with team leads, coaches, and pharmacy champions from four PTTs that participated in the first FtP cohort. The interviews were conducted using semistructured interview guides based on the RE-AIM framework and focused on participants' experiences in the first year of FtP. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a rapid content analysis approach. Result(s): Four leads, 8 coaches, and 8 pharmacy champions were interviewed from 4 PTTs from May to October 2021 and resulted in 10 themes: (1) community pharmacy practice experience is important when selecting coaches;(2) team readiness supports successful pharmacy practice transformation;(3) measures of patient care quality are needed;(4) payment and practice transformation opportunities happen in parallel;(5) successful practice transformation requires strategic involvement of the entire pharmacy team;(6) FtP practice transformation domains are synergistic;(7) change packages, coaching, and performance monitoring are core practice transformation supports;(8) pharmacy teams value opportunities to share and learn from each other;(9) sustaining patient care services is continuous;and (10) COVID-19 accelerated practice transformation while creating new stress points. Conclusion(s): Participants in this study perceived the FtP initiative as a helpful strategy implementing and improving community pharmacy-based patient care. Future research should explore the sustainability of the FtP initiative and similar community pharmacy practice transformation efforts.Copyright © 2022 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.
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Background: Influenza vaccine uptake in most European countries remains low, despite the World Health Organization's target of 75%. Community pharmacists play a vital role in promoting vaccination; however, they have been reported to be vaccine-hesitant. This study aimed to investigate changes in pharmacists' attitudes toward influenza vaccination since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Methods: In December 2020, all members of the Swiss Association of Pharmacists were invited to participate in an online, cross-sectional survey. This study assessed pharmacists' attitudes toward influenza vaccination by surveying influenza vaccine uptake during the 2019-20 influenza season and possible reasons for their decision(s), in addition to their intention to receive COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination(s) during the 2020-21 influenza season. Descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to assess predictors of vaccine uptake and intention. Results: Of 5900 Swiss pharmacists, 569 (9.6%) completed the survey. The self-reported influenza vaccination coverage among pharmacists during the 2019-20 season was 48.0%. The primary reason for vaccine uptake was the belief that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated, whereas the main reason for refusal was a lack of concern about contracting influenza. The proportions of participants who intend to accept influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in the 2020-2021 season, when available, were 63.3% and 66.5%, respectively. The most important predictor of high willingness to be vaccinated against influenza in 2020-21 was vaccination history (OR = 3.73; 95% CI = 1.47-9.50), while the most critical predictor of willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was the intention to be vaccinated against influenza (OR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.74-6.84). Conclusions: Findings indicated that although pharmacists' readiness to accept seasonal influenza vaccination significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine uptake among them remains suboptimal. This is consistent with what has been reported in the literature.
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BACKGROUND: Transmission of the novel coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2, caused many health services to reach crisis points worldwide. As infection rates rose, many countries implemented 'lockdown' periods where only essential services could remain open; this included community pharmacies in the UK. This study retrospectively explores the experiences of community pharmacists during the first lockdown period of the pandemic in the UK, helping us to learn for the future if another pandemic were to arise. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to explore the main professional and personal worries and concerns that pharmacists experienced during the first UK lockdown. Key practical issues specific to COVID-19 were investigated: staffing levels, precautionary measures undertaken, workload issues, medicines shortages, support, and guidance. In addition, the perceived effectiveness of support available to community pharmacists was examined. METHODS: Community pharmacists in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire regions of the UK were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview. Participants were recruited until no new themes emerged. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was undertaken using the Framework Approach. RESULTS: In total, 29 community pharmacists were interviewed across Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire, with interviews lasting on average for 20 min. Fifteen interviewees were from independent pharmacies and 14 from large-chain pharmacies. Five themes emerged from the data: difficulty maintaining staffing levels; precautionary measures undertaken for staff and patients; increase in dispensing volume; dealing with medicines shortages; and perceptions of support varied, with guidance reported to be initially slow and conflicting. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study highlights the crucial role that community pharmacists in the UK played in ensuring patients still received their medication and health advice, despite the challenging circumstances in which they found themselves. Community pharmacies need appropriate support, recognition, and funding to enable them to remain sustainable and continue to provide a critical service in the face of possible future pandemics.
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Background: During coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, avoiding hospital visits only to obtain medication was crucial to protect patients and to ensure hospital responsiveness. Portuguese pharmacies have national coverage. Purpose(s): To establish a nationwide response that allows patients to receive their specialty medicines (SM) in a community pharmacy of their convenience or at home, ensuring treatment continuity and avoiding unnecessary travelling to and from a hospital. Method(s): Community pharmacies, hospitals and pharmaceutical wholesalers collaborated in a structured, multidisciplinary operation, involving healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical stakeholders, endorsed by Pharmaceutical and Medical Societies: Operacao Luz Verde (OLV). Hospitals, patient associations, community pharmacies and patients themselves can ask for the dispensing of SM at a community pharmacy. Requests are received by a pharmacist specialised support line (LAF), which ensures communication between all stakeholders. Hospital pharmacists prepare the medicines and wholesalers provide transportation to ensure good practice. Community pharmacists scheduled for medicines to be dispensed with patients, ensuring electronic records and reports of eventual problems were sent to the hospital. OLV is free of charge for patients and hospitals, at least until the end of May 2020. Result(s): From the 23rd March until the 15th May 15, 12,229 patient requests were approved by a total of 33 hospitals;2,189 participating pharmacies and 20 patient associations endorsed the initiative. Final results will be presented at a later date. Conclusion(s): Community pharmacies may have an important role in the dispensing of SM. OLV may improve access to these medicines and reinforce potential for reducing inequities.
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Background: Clopidogrel is a CYP2C19-activated pro-drug, used to prevent cardiovascular events. Up to 27% of Caucasians has at least one CYP2C19*2 allele (impaired enzymatic activity), whereas 38% have at least one CYP2C19*17 allele (higher enzymatic activity). However, CYP2C19 pharmacogenetic analysis before prescribing clopidogrel is not widely implemented in clinical practice. Purpose(s): To evaluate feasibility and operability of a collaborative pilot circuit to determine pharmacogenetic markers to optimise clopidogrel prescription. Method(s): The authors expect 150 patients with a clopidogrel prescription by a cardiologist of Hospital de Sant Pau to enrol. They can enrol when filling their prescriptions in one of the 24 collaborating community pharmacies in the Hospital's area. Community pharmacists collect from each participant's pharmacotherapeutic profile and a saliva sample to be sent to the hospital for CYP2C19 genotyping. Hospital pharmacists collate all obtained data with their clinical records. Data are analysed jointly with a cardiologist to assess clopidogrel prescription adequacy. Barcelona Pharmacists' Association (COFB) coordinates the whole project and provides IT and logistic support. Result(s): This project started in January 2020 and it was temporarily suspended due to the COVID19 pandemic. On 13th March 2020, 114 patients with clopidogrel prescriptions were registered, 21 met the inclusion criteria and 15 were enrolled. Five out of the eight already genotyped patients were intermediate or poor metabolisers. Conclusion(s): This circuit seems to be feasible, but further research is needed once the study is resumed. Pharmacogenetics increasing clinical relevance needs more clinical implication of pharmacists.
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Background: FarmaFlux is a non-profit organisation providing e-health services to community pharmacists in Belgium. When the pandemic struck a new service was launched to collect relevant data to tackle strategic issues with regard to the COVID-19 crisis. Purpose(s): The COVID-19 Monitor was launched to detect pharmacy activity and drop out. Dispensing volume of relevant medicines was monitored to be able to prevent shortages. Afterwards they were used for outbreak detection and follow up of adherence. Method(s): Professional associations of community pharmacists participated in the national task force 'Shortages' and collected data about dispensing volumes of relevant medicines. Pharmacy activity data were provided at province level. Dispensing data were cross linked with medical data, mobility indicators, financial transactions and absenteeism during the exit phase. Volumes of metformin dispensing were used as an indicator for follow up of chronic treatment. Result(s): Community pharmacy drop out rose up to 3% in early April;but dropped afterwards and gradually went back to normal. Shortages of midazolam and oxygen were the most critical in ambulatory care. They were mitigated by the national task force. Dispensing data were shared with and processed by the federal scientific institution Sciensano. Results of the analysis were shared with the Group of Experts for the Exit Strategy (GEES). Metformin showed a stock piling peak the days before lockdown and an important drop afterwards. Conclusion(s): Dispensing data, collected by FarmaFlux, provided useful information to detect: community pharmacy drop out, medicines shortages in ambulatory care, follow up of adherence and early outbreak detection during the COVID19 crisis.
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Purpose of Study: Clinical trial participation remains low among US minority groups, who account for <1/10 of trial participants.1,2 Diverse, equitable and inclusive participation is needed to lessen disparities in health status and clinical outcomes.3 Community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategies identify salient community issues, and may be useful for understanding and addressing participation barriers among minority groups.4,5 The Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities (LA-CEAL) - a partnership of universities, community pharmacies, faith-based organizations (FBOs), and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) - aims to strengthen and leverage community relationships to address barriers to uptake of preventive/therapeutic strategies in underserved populations. This study examines the utility of LA-CEAL's CBPR approach in facilitating inclusive participation in clinical trials. Methods Used: Listening forums were held with a diverse group of LA community stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community pharmacists, FBO leaders and other trusted community members, to gather views on the need for and challenges to inclusive trial participation. Ongoing discussions between community representatives and leaders, academics and program staff facilitated outreach and guided development of informational strategies targeting minority groups. Summary of Results: Listening forums (N = 4;20 participants) revealed limited awareness, mistrust and fear stemming from historical and present injustices, and difficulty accessing opportunities as key themes underlying barriers to participation. To address identified barriers, 8 video testimonials featuring participants, investigators, and health advocates (62.5% Black;12.5% Hispanic;50% female) were developed to educate on expectations and experiences, motivations to participate, human subject protections, and the importance of diversity. Two animated videos featuring trusted community leaders and cultural ambassadors (e. g., New Orleans cultural icon, Irma Thomas) were created to explain trial processes, discuss participation benefits, and address the history of racism in medicine. Finally, connections between the Tulane Clinical Translational Unit and rural FQHCs enabled clinical trial study buses to visit and recruit in diverse LA communities. Conclusion(s): Via LA community stakeholder discussions, targeted strategies to address barriers to minority participation in clinical trials were developed and applied. Use of CBPR strategies was critical to developing intentional action reflective of LA community needs. Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
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Background: Recent state-level legislation allows pharmacies to implement protocols for the testing and treatment of influenza and group A streptococcal pharyngitis infections, which may improve access. Objective(s): This study evaluated patient perspectives on testing and treatment of influenza or streptococcal pharyngitis infections in the pharmacy and evaluated patient acceptance, willingness to seek testing, and willingness to pay. Method(s): This study used a cross-sectional paper survey administered at the community pharmacy after receiving a coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. The survey consisted of multiple choice and rank order. Surveys were anonymous and returned after completion before leaving the pharmacy. Survey data were entered into an Excel database for analysis. Result(s): There were a total of 152 respondents. Most of them were older than the age of 50 years and female. Most (89%) have a primary care provider (PCP) and their preferred location for testing was their PCP or a walk-in, quick care setting. More than half of the respondents stated that they would use the pharmacy as a source for testing and treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis infections and influenza. Half of the respondents pay an office copay visit of less than $15 and 29% pay $25-$50 per visit. The majority of respondents (62%) were willing to pay $25 or more out of pocket for testing. Conclusion(s): Although the pharmacy was not the preferred site for testing, more than half of the respondents stated that they would use the pharmacy for testing and treatment. Most respondents' willingness to pay was more than their copayments for office visits, suggesting some may value the convenience of testing and treatment at the pharmacy. Copyright © 2022 American Pharmacists Association
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Background: International human rights law, in particular Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights, calls for 'just and favourable' work conditions including the 'right to safe working conditions'. COVID-19 has exposed many frontline health workers to unsafe working conditions especially in regard to lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or protocols to minimise exposure. This further jeopardises not only the health of community pharmacists and technicians but also patients. Purpose(s): Whistle-blower protections ensure that individuals can freely report on substandard and unsafe work conditions without fear of retaliation. However, in many cases, unclear or lack of reporting guidelines for employees, or weaknesses in law and resource limitation of regulatory agencies can prevent or deter reporting. Method(s): This paper will explore the state of whistle-blower protections policies in the United States, in order to analyse the effectiveness of these protections and their uptake in community pharmacy settings. Furthermore, the paper will explore the resources available to pharmacists and technicians who wish to become whistle-blowers or have experienced retaliation as a result of whistleblowing. Result(s): There is a disconnect between protections available, employee understanding and use of these various instruments, enforcement mechanisms, and protection through alternative policies and laws. Conclusion(s): The findings in this paper will be useful for pharmacists and technicians who would like to avail whistle-blower protections and for future research which looks at more effective alternatives to the current whistleblowing protection infrastructure.
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Background: Deterioration in the mental health of healthcare workers during and after pandemics have been established. Ongoing health worker shortages and burnout previous to COVID19 and the aggressive transmission of the virus has intensified these mental health issues. Community pharmacists and technicians, who serve on the frontline and who are heavily relied upon during pandemics, are no exception. Purpose(s): The purpose of this study is primarily to understand the immensity of the mental health problems faced in community pharmacy settings and highlight the legal and policy structures that may be easing or exacerbating these incidences in the United States of America. Method(s): Exploratory research that includes a rapid review of existing literature, current news articles and professional organisation publications is used to map out the problem. Result(s): Little research has been conducted on the unique role that pharmacists and technicians occupy during a pandemic, and how, if at all, they may experience different types, or severities, of mental health problems. However, technological advancements have allowed for various interventions and resources. Conclusion(s): This research will help to better understand mental health problems faced in community pharmacy settings, highlight available resources, and discern existing legal and policy structures. Moreover, it could be used to guide future studies on how to address and mitigate specific factors that exacerbate the mental health problems and the need for policy changes to accommodate these incidences.
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Background: The World Health Organisation sent a clear message to the world, to 'test, test, and test' for early identification, isolation, and limiting the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Dismal testing rates have been the biggest barrier to understanding the spread of this disease. Community pharmacists and pharmacies provide an accessible and reliable avenue to increase testing rates. Purpose(s): To identify opportunities and barriers to implementing COVID-19 testing in community pharmacies. Method(s): Review of worldwide literature from 2019 and onwards was completed to review guidance documents and expert opinions on COVID-19 testing by community pharmacists. Result(s): So far, only 32 states in the USA have provided community pharmacists with the independent ability to order and administer COVID-19 tests in community pharmacies. Opportunities are: fast and reliable access to testing;improved testing rate, data collection, and patient-pharmacists relationships;provide personalised follow-ups and new services;and leverage opportunity for future government collaboration. Barriers are: government buy-in, regulations and bylaw compliance, training, personal protective equipment, staffing needs, workflow optimisation, processes for collaboration with public health authorities, and pharmacists' willingness. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 testing in community pharmacies can improve testing rates, and provide new avenues to collaborate on public health initiatives. There is a scarcity of evidence and literature around this topic and future work should explore success of testing in community pharmacies, and pharmacists and public perceptions of provision of such services in community pharmacy setting.
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Background: In the Netherlands, pharmacists are not qualified to vaccinate. KNMP would like to advocate for this qualification. In order to do so, it is important to know the attitude of Dutch community pharmacists towards vaccination qualifications, the willingness to be trained to vaccinate and towards a possible different scenario: pharmacy-based vaccination by a nurse. Purpose(s): To assess the attitude of Dutch community pharmacists towards vaccination qualification of pharmacists, the willingness to be trained to vaccinate and the attitude towards pharmacy-based vaccination by a nurse. Method(s): We developed a questionnaire and spread it by email to all KNMP members. Result(s): Sisty-six percent (66%) of the responders were positive about vaccination qualification of pharmacists (17% neutral and 17% negative), and even 78% were willing to be trained to vaccinate (ten percent neutral and 12% negative). On the other hand, only 34% was positive about pharmacy-based vaccination by a nurse (27% neutral and 39% negative). 95% of the responders were community pharmacists, of which 12% were hospital-based community pharmacists, five percent were hospital pharmacists and five percent were other pharmacists. The total number of respondents was 60, that is a response rate of two percent. Conclusion(s): We have a positive impression of the attitude of Dutch community pharmacists towards vaccination qualification of pharmacists and the willingness to be trained to vaccinate. This is a much more popular scenario than vaccination by a nurse who could vaccinate in the pharmacy. Because the total response to the questionnaire was low, we cannot be sure whether this is representative of Dutch community pharmacists or not. We considered sending the questionnaire again after the COVID-19 crisis, to gain higher response.
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Background: Pharmacists have an important role in providing correct information, education, and counseling to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crisis. In order to perform their duties in a correct manner, they must receive adequate and evidence-based information from official resources. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the practices of community pharmacists towards dispensing drugs during the COVI-19 pandemic and assess their knowledge concerning the safety and efficacy of these drugs in managing the COVID-19 infection. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional study conducted through the distribution of the questionnaire via the social media through a google form. The drugs examined were azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, dexamethasone, and certain antiviral drugs. Results: A total of 485 community pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Pharmacists dispensed these medications based on the physician's orders, 420 (86.6%), according to the pharmacist´s recommendations 327 (67.4%), or upon patient´s request 278 (57.3%). Azithromycin was the most dispensed drug and two thirds of the pharmacists dispensed drugs more than 10 times. Community pharmacists did not possess adequate knowledge concerning the effectiveness and safety of the drugs in the management of COVID-19 infection. In the multivariate linear regression analysis; education, type of university, and the average number of daily customers were statistically significant, p values: 0.004, 0.002, and 0.016, respectively. Pharmacists did not have a positive attitude towards dispensing drugs based on their own recommendations. More than half of the pharmacists agreed that they thought it was a correct decision to give these drugs based on their own judgment. Conclusion: Community pharmacists should not receive information from non-official sources. Strict regulations and implementation of disciplinary actions against pharmacists that dispense prescription only drugs based on their medical judgment are necessary to stop this illegal behavior. A proactive role demonstrated by the pharmacists and based on scientific facts will reduce misconceptions and hazardous behavior of self-medication using prescription only drugs based on rumors and fictitious news.