Community Pharmacists' Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Lagos State, Nigeria

Ogochukwu U Amaeze; Alexander A Akinola; Ayobami A Aiyeolemi; Folasade O Lawal; Oghogho R Ijomone; Ugochukwu A Mbata

doi:10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_5_22

Community Pharmacists' Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Lagos State, Nigeria

J Res Pharm Pract. 2022 Aug 18;11(1):25-32. doi: 10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_5_22. eCollection 2022 Jan-Mar.

Authors

Ogochukwu U Amaeze¹, Alexander A Akinola¹, Ayobami A Aiyeolemi¹, Folasade O Lawal², Oghogho R Ijomone¹, Ugochukwu A Mbata³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
² Department of Victory Drugs, Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria.
³ Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the services community pharmacists in Lagos state provided to their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists drawn from all the Association of Community Pharmacists' zones in Lagos state was done from April to June 2021. Data were collected using a structured, self-reported online questionnaire via Google Forms and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Findings: Two hundred and forty community pharmacists participated in the study; the response rate was 80.5%. Patient counseling (99.6%), assessment and treatment of common acute ailments (99.6%), and patient education on hygiene (99.6%) were the most reported services provided by community pharmacists. The COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures most frequently practiced by the pharmacists include cleaning of floors with soap and water (98.4%), provision of hand sanitizers for staff use (97.1%), and taking precautions when handling prescriptions and dispensing drugs (96.7%). Significant barriers to the provision of the services were reduced workforce in the pharmacy, time constraints, and extended working hours. Zinc (98.3%), Vitamin C (97.5%), and ivermectin (95.0%) tablets were the most reported medications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Lagos state actively provide pharmacy services and practice various recommended infection prevention and control measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection in their communities.

Keywords: COVID-19; Community pharmacist; Lagos state; infection prevention and control.