Prevalence and Perception of Pharmacists on Dispensing Prescription Only Medication without Prescription in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Currently in Nigeria, prescription only medicines are supposed to be dispensed only with a prescription. The study aimed to reveal the prevalence of prescription only medicine without a prescription and the perception of community pharmacist in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria towards the phenomenon.
 Method: The study was carried out between February–April 2019 using simulated patient approach and administration of questionnaire on the pharmacists.
 Result: Forty pharmacies were surveyed and 100% (29) of the respondents were willing to dispense prescription only medicines without a prescription. Among the respondents, 93% (27) said they do see up to an estimated 30% of POMs without a prescription daily. While 19.2% (5) of the pharmacists do dispense POM without a prescription, 42.3% (11) said they do so depend on the level of education or prior exposure of the client to the medication. Only 38.5% (10) said they will not dispense a POM without a prescription. Most of the pharmacists, 93% (27) agreed that dispensing POM without with a prescription holds potentials for drug abuse, drug misuse, drug dependence with attendant economic consequences.
 Conclusion: A vast majority of practicing community pharmacists in Nigeria are willing and do dispense prescription-only medications without a valid prescription; for a variety of reasons. This is against existing Nigerian pharmacy laws and the national drug policy.

Vocational Factors and Career Choice of Vocational and Technical Education Students in Ekiti State University

“…Students who have received extensive vocational training are more likely to be satisfied with their career choices, whereas students who make career decisions without adequate and accurate guidance are more likely to be forced to pursue a vocation that is not a good fit for them. According to Hassan (2006) and Tor-Anyiin (2008), vocational guidance combines the two and emphasises the interaction between learning and work. This is not unrelated to the fact that for an individual to make an informed decision about a career, he or she must have a positive self-image and a high level of education.…”

Suicide Prevention in Nigeria: Can Community Pharmacists Have a Role?

“…There is an apparent connection between pharmacists and self-poisoning as their core duties are intrinsically linked to medication supply [ 33 ]. Based on the current practice in Nigeria, community pharmacists can supply both non-prescription and prescribed medications without prescriptions [ 34 , 35 ]. Although this is unethical, most patients still access their medications and related medication services through community pharmacies [ 34 , 35 ].…”

“…Based on the current practice in Nigeria, community pharmacists can supply both non-prescription and prescribed medications without prescriptions [ 34 , 35 ]. Although this is unethical, most patients still access their medications and related medication services through community pharmacies [ 34 , 35 ]. In a study in Benue State, Nigeria, community pharmacists admitted to supplying prescription-only medicines with or without a prescription due to competition with other retail pharmacies and patent medicine vendors.…”

“…In a study in Benue State, Nigeria, community pharmacists admitted to supplying prescription-only medicines with or without a prescription due to competition with other retail pharmacies and patent medicine vendors. However, they expressed their awareness of the effects of drug misuse and drug abuse [ 35 ].…”

“…Community pharmacies in Nigeria could have a significant role in restricting access to means through medication management because they are medication experts [ 34 ]. This could be achieved by controlling the quantity of medication by managing refills for patients with mental health conditions, preventing stockpiling, maintaining sufficient records of patient’s medication histories, and providing adequate counselling on drug misuse and abuse [ 14 , 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, community pharmacists in Nigeria are positioned to intervene in suicide prevention, but lack of knowledge and awareness of suicide prevention and competition from other providers hinders them from seeing their potential role as medication gatekeepers.…”