Strategies to promote access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bell, J Simon; Reynolds, Lorenna; Freeman, Chris; Jackson, John

doi:10.31128/ajgp-04-20-5390

Cited by 28 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…It is vital that those people have access to essential medications, including end-of-life medications, because it is now well known that COVID-related morbidity and mortality is high for this population. 41 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 45 Even in a very developed country such as the UK, 46 there occurred a severe shortage of prescription and OTC medicines. After COVID-19 hit, Australia also reported shortages of some medicines at local and national levels 47 —such shortages are expected to persist for the foreseeable future because Australia imports 70% of its most frequently used medicines from India, and China is the major supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (80%). 48 Shortages have also been flagged by a colleague of the research team, a community pharmacist from a regional town in Victoria, particularly of medicines such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor II antagonist, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and even for glaucoma eye drops.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pharmacy practice in emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Australia

Parajuli

Khanal

Wechkunanukul

et al. 2022

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

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The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the pharmacy practice and initiatives taken by the Australian federal government to ensure the continued supply of essential medicines under the conditions of an emergency response plan for COVID-19. During the pandemic, Australian pharmacists have been working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams at the frontline to manage the equitable and safe supply of medicines despite the unprecedented situation. Although these presented problems for small pharmacies, social distancing policies were implemented widely to maintain personal and environmental hygiene and reduce the number of face-to-face patient visits. In collaboration with various pharmaceutical stakeholders, the Australian government responded rapidly to ensure equitable and sufficient supply with continued access to therapeutic goods during the pandemic. Additionally, vital policies and practices have been implemented, including supplying regular medicines at government-subsidized prices, a maximum one-month supply of some prescription medicines and purchase limits on over-the-counter medicines (one unit per purchase), medication management reviews through telehealth, electronic and digital prescribing, home delivery of medicines to vulnerable people and those in home isolation and the provision of serious shortage medicine substitution rights to pharmacists. Pharmacists were encouraged to communicate and collaborate with other local pharmacies to ensure that essential pharmacy services met community needs (e.g., opening hours). However, there has been a shortage of some medicines due to supply chain disruption and increased demand due to the pandemic. Higher demand for flu vaccinations, increased work pressure in pharmacies, and severe frustration and anxiety in pharmacy customers were also reported. Vigilance is required to monitor foreseeable shortages of therapeutics goods, particularly in regional pharmacies. There is an opportunity for long-term change to retain certain rights and roles based on the competence shown by pharmacists in this challenging period, such as telephone medication reviews, telehealth for MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck, digital prescription handling and therapeutic substitution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacy practice in emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Australia

Parajuli

Khanal

Wechkunanukul

et al. 2022

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“… 15 In addition, many citizens with chronic conditions, e.g., noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) 16 or in need of acute care, did not seek required care due to their fear and anxiety to get infected with COVID-19. 17 , 18 , 19 These situations will impose greater challenges and exacerbate the COVID-19 consequences for the health systems worldwide. 12 , 20 …”

Section: The Coronaviruses Epidemic and The Challenges And Opportunitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives

Takian

Haghighi

Raoofi

2021

Environmental and Health Management of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19 )

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“…In acute and chronic disorders, medications are the most common healthcare intervention. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a situation in which disabled elderly people with chronic and complicated conditions are being asked to isolate themselves at home [19]. The consequences of social distancing, staying home, and a general lockdown could undoubtedly impact medication dispensing/availability, follow-ups, check-ups, prescription refills, and access to health care services [16][17][18]20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Medication Dispensing and the use of Health Services in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Tulbah

2021

JPRI

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Aims: March 2020, WHO revealed that COVID-19 was a pandemic. Coughing, sneezing, close contact with infected individuals speeds up the disease spread. Saudi Arabia's government and the Ministry of Health sought to spread social awareness of the importance of quarantine and restriction, but unprecedented challenges and obstacles emerged. Therefore, in this study, the effect of COVID-19 on the dispensing of medication and the use of health care services evaluated. Study design: This survey, cross-sectional, was performed in Makkah city individuals. Place and Duration of Study: This survey was run out in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia for seven days, starting from June 15, 2020, to June 22, 2020. Methodology: Survey of 112 applicants (33 men, 79 women; age range 16-56+ years) had been performed to explore COVID-19 impact on medication dispensing and the use of health care services regarding sociodemographic data in Makkah city residents, Saudi Arabia. Results: This study demonstrated that most of the survey respondents coped well with COVID-19 changes. A significant correlation was found between coping with COVID-19 changes and the age of participants (F(df) = 7.846 (4,107), P-value 0.006) and (F(df) = 4.025 (4,107), P-value 0.047), respectively. Of all the participants, 68.75% had been able to dispense a prescription medication during COVID-19 restrictions. Among them, 30.36, 21.43, and 16.96% dispensed a prescription once, twice, and more than three times, respectively. The data showed that 67.86% of the participants successfully purchased medication from a community pharmacy during COVID-19 restrictions. There was no change in medication availability or price, at about 61.61% and 76.79%, respectively. A significant correlation between medication availability-price (F(df) = 4.025(3,105), P-value 0.047) was found. During COVID-19 restrictions, 51.79% of the respondents were able to access health care services such as hospitals that provide health checking, or substance use for disease treatment. Interestingly, 25% of the participants had the same accessibility to health care services. Conclusion: This research revealed that through the COVID-19 pandemic, the dispensing, availability, and price changes of medication and the use of health care services were running in a good manner. This would show that although there were restrictions due to COVID-19, access to medication or health care services was running smoothly.

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Strategies to promote access to medications during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 28 publications

References 5 publications

Pharmacy practice in emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Australia

Pharmacy practice in emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Australia

Challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Medication Dispensing and the use of Health Services in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

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