Pharmacy practice in Qatar: challenges and opportunities

Kheir, Nadir; Fahey, Michael

doi:10.5655/smr.v4i2.1007

Cited by 54 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…However, several recent articles and book chapters cite experiences in select countries. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Employment opportunities for pharmacists in the Arab world are similar to those in other parts of the world, including community and institutional practice, as well as in the regulatory, academia, and industry fields. 20 Some countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan have placed restrictions on licensing and practicing expatriates.…”

Section: Health Care and Pharmacy Education In The Arab World Demogramentioning

confidence: 99%

A Call to Action to Transform Pharmacy Education and Practice in the Arab World

Al-Ghananeem

Malcom

Shammas³

et al. 2018

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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Globally, pharmacy education is evolving to reflect a more patient-centered, interprofessional approach to clinical practice. In the 22 countries of the Arab world, advancements in regulatory support for pharmacy practice and changes to the health care system have been slower than in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Significant cultural, logistical, and legal barriers exist in many countries, and a consensus approach to accreditation, educational outcomes, and curricula design is lacking. This commentary briefly examines the current state of both pharmacy education and practice in the Arab world, and it highlights recent reports of curricular reform and innovation. Additionally, it provides potential strategies for improving the quality of education and for expanding pharmacy practice to ensure graduates and practitioners have adequate experiential opportunities and institutional support.

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Section: Health Care and Pharmacy Education In The Arab World Demogramentioning

confidence: 99%

A Call to Action to Transform Pharmacy Education and Practice in the Arab World

Al-Ghananeem

Malcom

Shammas³

et al. 2018

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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“…However, in the private pharmacy sector, the practice is still dominated by dispensing and sales of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products [16,18,19]. In general, pharmaceutical care, medicines management, and other advanced services are not commonplace in community pharmacies in Qatar [16,18]. Therefore, community pharmaceutical services in Qatar are predominated by traditional distribution of medicinal products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently established government hospitals have been provided with automated dispensing devices and computer-aided drug distribution systems, sparing pharmacists' time for direct patient care activities and ensuring safe and rational medicines use [17]. However, in the private pharmacy sector, the practice is still dominated by dispensing and sales of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products [16,18,19]. In general, pharmaceutical care, medicines management, and other advanced services are not commonplace in community pharmacies in Qatar [16,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These can be illustrated in the development of cognitive and specialized hospital pharmacy services, pharmacy education, the country's health plans, and pharmacy leadership [16,17]. Currently, the hospital pharmacy sector in Qatar provides clinical pharmacy services that were introduced in some government hospitals and facilities in 2006 [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Medication use review in Qatar: Are community pharmacists prepared for the extended professional role?

2014

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Background The incidence of chronic illnesses is increasing globally. Non-adherence to medications and other medicationrelated problems are common among patients receiving long-term medications. Medication use review (MUR) is a service provision with an accredited pharmacist undertaking structured, adherence-centered reviews with patients receiving multiple medications. MUR services are not yet available in community pharmacies in Qatar. Objective The current study aims to evaluate com-munity pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and perception towards establishing MUR as an extended role in patient care. Setting Private community pharmacies in Qatar including chains and independent pharmacies. Methodology A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered ques-tionnaire was conducted among licensed community phar-macists from December 2012 to January 2013. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Main outcome measures Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to MUR concept and services. Results A total of 123 participants responded to the survey (response rate 56 %). The mean total knowledge score was 71.4 ± 14.7 %. An overwhelming proportion of the par-ticipants (97 %) were able to identify the scope of MUR in relation to chronic illnesses and at enhancing the quality of pharmaceutical care. Furthermore, 80 % of the respondents were able to identify patients of priority for inclusion in an MUR program. However, only 43 % of the participants knew that acute medical conditions were not the principal focus of an MUR service, while at least 97 % acknowledged that the provision of MUR services is a great opportunity for an extended role of community pharmacists and that MUR makes excellent use of the pharmacist's professional skills in the community. The participants generally reported concerns about time, dedicated consultation area, and sup-port staff as significant barriers towards MUR implemen-tation. Conclusion This study suggests that community pharmacists in Qatar had sufficient knowledge about the concept of MUR and its scope, but there were still important deficiencies that warrant further education. The findings have important implications on policy and practice per-taining to the implementation of MUR as an extended role of pharmacists and as part of Qatar's National Health Strategy to move primary health care forward.

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“…Since 2006, the hospital pharmacy sector has developed a relatively new but rapidly evolving clinical pharmacy services that have been introduced in some of the nation's public hospitals. 1 Current data suggest that a well-run, pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation (MR) process can reduce the occurrence of medication errors in hospitals, and the harm associated with these, consequently creating potential to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. 2 In 2013, hospital-based clinical pharmacists working at the newly established Al-Wakra Hospital initiated a MR process.…”

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confidence: 99%

Medication reconciliation service conducted by clinical pharmacists in Qatar

Sonallah¹,

Ibrahim²,

Sattar

et al. 2014

J Pharm Pract Res

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To the Editor,The State of Qatar is a small, oil-and gas-rich Gulf country that is experiencing rapid development in healthcare services, including pharmaceutical services. Stronger leadership based on a National Health Strategy and the development of pharmacy leadership groups at the practice level have contributed to the fast development of the practice of pharmacy in Qatar. Since 2006, the hospital pharmacy sector has developed a relatively new but rapidly evolving clinical pharmacy services that have been introduced in some of the nation's public hospitals. 1Current data suggest that a well-run, pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation (MR) process can reduce the occurrence of medication errors in hospitals, and the harm associated with these, consequently creating potential to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.2 In 2013, hospital-based clinical pharmacists working at the newly established Al-Wakra Hospital initiated a MR process. Six months after the initiation of the program, a study was conducted to identify the types and frequency of medication discrepancies detected, and to document associated clinical pharmacy interventions made at the time of patients' admission to hospital. MR was conducted by all clinical pharmacists for inpatients across all wards (including the intensive care unit, medical and surgical wards) at the Al-Wakra Hospital for the period spanning March to October 2013. The study involved retrospective analysis of 251 MR forms. Data entry and data analysis were carried out using SPSS version 21.0. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess normality of data, and Spearman rho and Mann-Whitney U-tests were carried out to test for correlation and differences between variables.Of the 251 forms that were screened, 144 were found to have complete information. The percentage of instances of medication discrepancy was 39% (median number of discrepancies = 2), with the medication omission being the most common (median = 2). Cardiovascular medications (34%) followed by endocrine agents (22%) and nutrition/electrolyte supplements were the medicines most frequently associated with discrepancies. Clinical pharmacists changed/adjusted medications in approximately 25% of cases. The most common type of intervention was medication resumption. There was a significant correlation between the number of clinical interventions and percentage of discrepancies (Spearman rho coefficient = 0.479; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between male and female patients in terms of percentage of medication discrepancies (p = 0.157) and rate of omission (p = 0.281).This study found that medication discrepancies at the time of hospital admission were very common in this new facility. The role of the MR form is invaluable in medication management functions conducted by the clinical pharmacists, and facilitated the resolution or prevention of medication discrepancies. Although more research in this area is required, we believe that the results of this study support the use of the MR form, and t...

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Pharmacy practice in Qatar: challenges and opportunities

Cited by 54 publications

References 6 publications

A Call to Action to Transform Pharmacy Education and Practice in the Arab World

A Call to Action to Transform Pharmacy Education and Practice in the Arab World

Medication use review in Qatar: Are community pharmacists prepared for the extended professional role?

Medication reconciliation service conducted by clinical pharmacists in Qatar

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