THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMICS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN EGYPT

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health crisis that affected human beings, businesses and the economy negatively. Community pharmacies are the frontline of health care, and pharmacists are considered as the first point of care. However, the pandemic of COVID-19 has posed a great danger to the public health and pharmaceutical markets. Aim: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the community pharmacies administratively and economically. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1 to 30 November 2020 among pharmacy employees in independent and chain community pharmacies. The questionnaire covered the areas of changes in different pharmaceutical business functions as pharmacy administration and management, supply chain, sales and training programs. Results: A total of 1154 respondents have participated in the survey study from different Egyptian regions. The majority of responses were from independent pharmacies 916(79.4%). Most pharmacies 1119(97%) reported an increase in the demand for pharmaceutical products. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the sales of chain pharmacies were increased compared to independent pharmacies. Several community pharmacies workforce 923(80%) were shifted towards home delivery business. Most pharmacies cancelled the training programs during the COVID-19 and only a small percentage 28(2.4%) shifted to online programs. COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a negative psychological impact on the pharmacy employees with about two-third (68.1%) of participants were seeking career shifts.Conclusion: This study identified particular influences of COVID-19 on community pharmacies services from administrative and economic perspectives. The findings of this study may help decision-makers and pharmacy professionals to impart suitable preparedness for community pharmacists and handle future pandemic waves to keep business maintenance of community pharmacies and foster pharmacy employees' satisfaction.