To collaborate or not-to-collaborate? Behavioral-antecedents and mediating role of intraprofessional collaborative behavior on performance of community pharmacists: A modeling study.

Extensive research exists on collaborative behavior between healthcare professionals with different skill sets (interprofessional collaboration). However, research is scarce and evolving on collaborative behavior among members of the same profession (intraprofessional collaboration), community pharmacists in particular. Based on the theory of reasoned action, a hypothetical structural model was developed to evaluate the impact of behavioral antecedents: competitive behavior (CB), knowledge-sharing behavior (KSB), and customer-focused behavior (CFB), and the mediating effects of collaborative behavior (CTB) on work performance (WP) of community pharmacists in southwestern Nigeria. We used a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of randomly selected community pharmacists (N = 646). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. The model had an acceptable fit and data quality. The model showed that CB, KSB, and CFB exert a significant direct influence on CTB. Only CFB significantly influenced WP compared to other antecedents and CTB. The absence of mediating effects of CTB suggests a gap in intraprofessional practice with implications for interprofessional collaboration and performance among community pharmacists. We conclude from our results that overall work performance is enhanced when community pharmacists encourage and adopt a collaborative culture. This culture strengthens the benefits of shared experiential knowledge, focus on patients' welfare, and healthy competition.

Assessing the Application of Pharmacoeconomic Evaluations in Medicines Management by Hospital Pharmacists in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Application of pharmacoeconomic data for decision making in medicines management is still nascent in most developing countries. Yet, escalating medication costs amidst rising budgetary constraints call for widespread application of economic evidence to maximize available healthcare resources. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of randomly-selected hospital pharmacists from secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, conducted between June and August 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for primary data collection. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis at p < 0.05. Knowledge of pharmacoeconomic concepts was found to be still evolving (mean weighted average, MWA 2.07) among respondents while their ages and ranks had significant associations (P < 0.05) with their knowledge and attitudes. They had a fairly positive attitude toward pharmacoeconomic evaluations (MWA 2.997). Practice of pharmacoeconomic evaluations was inadequate (MWA 2.36). Appropriate policy action and targeted training are strongly recommended.

Drug Utilization Evaluation of Medications Used by Hypertensive Patients in Hospitals in Nigeria.

Drug utilization studies in developing countries is evolving. Rising medication cost for hypertensive patients is a major cause of noncompliance to therapy. The study was a cross-sectional drug utilization review involving outpatients in two purposively selected hospitals (secondary and tertiary) in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria. Data and relevant information were obtained from the patients' medical records domiciled in the outpatients' hospital records department. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used at p < 0.05. Total medication cost to patients was USD$48,575; out of which antihypertensive medications accounted for 46% (USD$21,588) in two referral hospitals. Ramipril was the most prescribed in both hospitals. Generic drugs were cheaper than their branded alternatives. Study outcomes are beneficial for managing costs for hypertensive patients.