Assessment of Knowledge, Qualification, Experience, and Medication Dispensing Practices in South Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Drug stores in Pakistan are run by dispensers with varied knowledge, qualification, and experience. The current study was sought to explore the knowledge, qualification, experience, and dispensing practices among dispensers working in drugstores in South Karachi, Pakistan.
 Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected from medical stores in South Karachi which were then categorized, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Relationship among different study variables with pharmacist’s availability and personal experience was assessed using statistical non-parametric Chi-square test. A total of 385 samples obtained using a simple random sampling method were included in the study. However, only 210 responses on questionnaire were complete which were then selected for study analysis between October and December 2018.
 Results: Of the 210 surveyed drugstores, 9% of their staff had studied only till primary school, 5.7% till the eighth grade, 25.2% up to secondary school level, 26.7% till higher secondary school level, 15.7% had non-professional education, and 8.1% were professional graduate. Only 9% of them had a degree in Pharm. D or B. Pharm, while 0.5% had a post-graduation qualification. Furthermore, 44.8% of pharmacies had a valid pharmacy license but the pharmacist was physically absent in 91% of the drugstores. Majority of pharmacies did not maintain appropriate temperature (refrigerator and/or room temperature). Majority of dispensers did not review prescription particulars before dispensing medications and also dispensed medications on older prescriptions as well as without prescription.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, the overall knowledge and practices of dispensers working in drugstores was poor. However, the presence of pharmacist was associated with good dispensing practices to a certain extent.

Compliance of good storage practices of pharmacies and medicine outlets: a scoping review

“…Full study characteristics are provided in Table 1, and further details are provided within the quality assessment in Table S1. Of the 15 studies, publication dates ranged from 2007 to 2021, with the majority published in 2021 ( n = 6) 12,14–16,23,26 , and 10 countries were represented by those 15 studies, with the majority located in Asia and Africa. Five studies investigated outlets in Pakistan 17,21,23–25 .…”

“…Of the 15 studies, publication dates ranged from 2007 to 2021, with the majority published in 2021 ( n = 6) 12,14–16,23,26 , and 10 countries were represented by those 15 studies, with the majority located in Asia and Africa. Five studies investigated outlets in Pakistan 17,21,23–25 . All studies also had all authors from the same country except for two, which contained a mix of authors from different countries.…”

“…Five studies investigated outlets in Pakistan. 17,21,[23][24][25] All studies also had all authors from the same country except for two, which contained a mix of authors from different countries. As for the methodology in the 15 studies, 12 used participatory research (e.g.…”

“…As for the methodology in the 15 studies, 12 used participatory research (e.g. surveys, questionnaires, interviews), and of those, 12,[14][15][16][17][18][20][21][22][23][24][25] three also included observational inspections/visits. 14,18,24 In one study, Principal Investigator-administered inspections were used, 26 and in two, retroactive analyses of inspection data or a quantitative dataset were conducted.…”