EXPLORING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN DRUG INTERACTIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN PALESTINE

Naseef, Hani; Ayyash, Nibal; Almtour, Mayar; Shrateeh, Aseel; AbuKhalil, Abdallah; Al-Shami, Ni&#039;meh; Jaradat, Nidal; Rabba, Abdullah K.

doi:10.21608/bfsa.2023.327571

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN DRUG INTERACTIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN PALESTINE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions, Birzeit University, West Bank, State of Palestine, PO Box, 14

² An-najah National University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Nablus, State of Palestine

³ Birzeit University

10.21608/bfsa.2023.327571

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and drug-food/herbs interactions (DFIs) in Palestine. Method: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire including thirty questions was conducted among community pharmacists to assess the pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to DDIs and DFIs. The t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests were used to find the associations with characteristics and demographics. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 361 participants completed the questionnaire; most participants (49.6%) have bachelor’s degrees in pharmacy and 26.0% have a doctor of pharmacy degree. 20.8% of participants have been a pharmacist for ten years or longer, while 10.2% have been a pharmacists from 7 to 9 years. Pharmacists’ DIs knowledge level was acceptable; their DFIs knowledge was higher than their DDIs knowledge. Pharmacists with long experience working in chain pharmacies with internet services significantly had better knowledge about DDI and DFI. Pharmacists’ attitude toward the importance of recognizing DIs was positive, whereas their practice reflected less positivity. Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Palestine have acceptable knowledge of drug interactions. However, their DFIs knowledge is higher than their DDIs knowledge, and they have favorable attitudes toward DIs, whereas their practice was negative. However, community pharmacists need to improve their knowledge of DDIs and DFIs and stay current with new drug interactions.

Keywords