Pharmacy practice in hospital settings in GCC countries: Prescribing and transcribing

Abstract

Purpose To outline hospital pharmacy practices across the Gulf Cooperation Councils (GCC) countries’ hospitals. Methods A modified survey questionnaire was prepared from the original 2019 American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) survey questions. Survey details were discussed with some pharmacy directors for clarity and relevance. A list of hospitals were obtained from the Ministry of Health of each of the targeted GCC countries. A secure invitation link containing a survey questionnaire was sent to the participants directly. Results Sixty four hospitals responded to this survey. The overall response rate was 52%. About 47% of the surveyed hospitals considered their drug formularies as closed, and strict. Additionally, only 44% of hospitals compare the effectiveness of products, when taking formulary decisions for drug inclusion. Forty-four percent of hospitals have computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE / EHR) system functionality for formulary system management. At about 39.1% hospitals, pharmacists have the responsibility for managing medication therapies, majority were engaged in providing anticoagulation therapies. About 61% of hospital pharmacies in GCC countries receive medication orders electronically, through CPOE/EHR. Majority (66%) of the hospitals in GCC countries have an active Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) while only 40% of pharmacists have a key role in providing clinical support. About 57.8% of hospital pharmacy directors reported that pharmacists do not provide ambulatory care clinical pharmacy services in their hospitals. Conclusion In GCC countries’ hospitals, there are major areas for improvement to patient care of which pharmacists are uniquely qualified as the medication experts to have the most meaningful outcomes in all of the domains of safe medication use, medication therapy management, antimicrobial stewardship program and participation in outpatient clinics.

Transforming pharmacy practice in Kuwait

“…Significant efforts were made to evaluate the current practice status for all the defined and expected pharmaceutical services. Several tools were used including national surveys, collecting information on current pharmacy workforce, and collaborating with regional 2 as well as seeking international evaluation from the American‐Society of Health System Pharmacists. The outcome from all the needs assessment highlighted the necessity to amend the pharmacy scope of practice to move from tradition roles to more patient centred professional activities.…”

“…Healthcare systems have identified the inevitable role of the pharmacists in the multidisciplinary team with the introduction of new regulations and policies that have supported pharmacists and pharmaceutical services to be part of integrated healthcare services. 1,2 However, data from the Middle east countries showed that pharmacists' role is still limited, despite many recommendations to develop improvement strategies. [3][4][5][6][7] Pharmacy practice in Kuwait has long been identified as a sector yet to be developed, 4,8,9 with recommendations mainly urging to invest in undergraduate education and continuing professional development.…”

“…Along with this expansion in their professional identity, pharmacists are required to master more professional competencies to deliver high quality pharmaceutical services to their patients and community. Healthcare systems have identified the inevitable role of the pharmacists in the multidisciplinary team with the introduction of new regulations and policies that have supported pharmacists and pharmaceutical services to be part of integrated healthcare services 1,2 . However, data from the Middle east countries showed that pharmacists' role is still limited, despite many recommendations to develop improvement strategies 3–7 …”