AFFILIATIONS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Good pharmacy practice in community pharmacies (CP) is essential in promotingthe rational use of drugs (RUD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality ofpharmacy practice in CP according to RUD principles. The following data were a part of aninterventional study in which 84 community pharmacists in the Umraniye district of Istanbulwere evaluated by face to face interviews and an unannounced simulated case scenario in2002. The average dispensing time, dispensing practice, and adequate labelling were evaluatedas rationality indicators. Our results showed that 32% of the pharmacists were notpresent in their pharmacies during the simulation studies. Only 40.5% of the prescriptionswere dispensed by the pharmacists. Forty four percent of the pharmacy employees had nomore than a primary school degree. Half of the patients applying to a pharmacy had no prescription.The average dispensing time for a single drug was 149 seconds in simulated casesalthough the pharmacists declared 287 seconds in the questionnaires. All pharmacistsreported that they explained to the patients how to administer their drugs but only 43% of theprescriptions were adequately labelled and only 6.5% included a verbal warning by the dispensersof possible interactions. In conclusion, good pharmacy practice was poorly appliedin CP in the selected district of Istanbul. Since most patients consulted a pharmacist for theirmedication (with or without a prescription), it seemed that continuing education would beessential for pharmacists and pharmacy employees in promoting RUD.KEYWORDS: Rational use of drug, Pharmacy practice, Community pharmacist, Prescription,Dispensing time, Dispensing score.