Rational Dispensing of Oral Dosage Forms of Medicines to Children and Its Associated Factors in South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Obstacles encountered when maintaining excellent dispensing practices for children include a lack of age-appropriate dosage forms, a shortage of medications in appropriate strengths for children, a lack of appetizing drugs, and a lack of competence in pediatric pharmacy. These difficulties contribute to ineffective dispensing procedures and an urgent need to study whether oral dose forms of medications are dispensed to children in a rational way. Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rational dispensing of oral dosage forms of medicines to children, as well as the factors that influence this practice. Methods Using validated indicators, a cross-sectional study design was utilized to analyze the rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines administered to children under the age of 12 years in seven pharmacies and two drug stores over a one-month period. Results and discussions Out of 810 medicines, 11.7% and 4% were irrationally manipulated, 5.8% and 1.8% needed manipulation, 3.7% and 0.2% were alternatively dispensed, 8.8% and 7.5% of the medicines had correct advice on their label and also 745 medicines were adequately labeled in the hospital and the selected drug stores. In this study, 92% of medicines were adequately labeled and had sufficient advice on their labels, 15.3% of medicines were irrationally manipulated and around 7.7% of the dosage forms needed manipulation during dispensing. The type of medicine retail outlet had a significant effect on the percentage of instances where alternative solid oral dosage forms were dispensed (p = 0.003), the percentage of dosage forms were adequately labeled (p = 0.008), and the percentage of dosage forms were irrationally manipulated before dispensing (p = 0.001). Conclusion The rational dispensing practice of oral dosage forms of medicines was relatively poor and there is room for improvement.

Availability of Dispensing and Storage Facilities at Public and Community Pharmacies at Bahir Dar and Gondar Towns

“…Inappropriate dispensing practices, such as inaccurate measuring or counting with dispensing devices and inadequate supply container identification, can negatively affect the health care delivery system by increasing the risk of contamination, irrational medicine use, and poor preparation decisions. 24 The availability of physical space in which to carry out work influenced dispensing journeys in terms of safety. 18 Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products may be handled, transported, and stored in complex supply chains at temperatures above or below those recommended by the manufacturer due to a lack of facilities used for cold chain management.…”