Pharmaceutical Care Within Community Pharmacies: Tools Availability and Pharmacists' Views, Wad-Medani, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceutical Care (PhC) services within community pharmacies (CPs) have become a vital issue in many developed countries.

Purpose: This study assessed the availability of PhC tools and pharmacists' views towards PhC services within CPs in Sudan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The participants were 120 community pharmacists.

Results: Fifty-eight percent of respondents used to work in pharmacies near homes rather than within the marketplace. The study revealed that the overall tool availability of the assessed components and items was only 25% (Counselling areas 3%, Records 5%, Pharmacist identity 3%, Pharmacy phones 15%, Medical devices 38%, and Staff 29%). The result of pharmacists' views towards the PhC concept, roles, and responsibilities showed a high level of agreement, at 88%, with a statistically insignificant difference between participants.

Conclusion: Tools available within CPs were lower than required. However, pharmacists' views showed a high agreement level towards PhC concept roles and responsibilities. Community pharmacists, academic sectors, and regulatory authorities must start initiatives to improve the provision of PhC tools for better patient care service delivery.

Keywords: Sudan; community pharmacies; community pharmacists; pharmaceutical care tools; pharmacists’ views.