What has changed in the pharmaceutical care after COVID-19: Pharmacists' perspective

Pharmacy Practice

  • Zelal Kharaba1Department of Clinical Sciences, AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  • Sedq A. Moutraji2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
  • Rama A. Al Khawaldeh2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
  • Yassen Alfoteih3Department of Dental Surgery, City University College of Ajman, Ajman, UAE.
  • Ahmad Z. Al Meslamani1Department of Clinical Sciences, AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 1-9

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.2.2656

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the roles of hospital and community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to assess how COVID-19 has affected their roles concerning medication dispensing and review, patient education, and telepharmacy services. Methods: This was a face-to-face questionnaire-based study. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect responses from 428 licensed community and hospital pharmacists across the UAE. The study tool is a structured questionnaire. Data were cleaned and analysed through SPSS Version 26. Results: In terms of medication dispensing practice, 314 (73.4%) and 210 (49.1%) of pharmacists reported an increase in the dispensing of over the counter (OTC) medicines and antibiotics after COVID-19, respectively. Of the pharmacists included in the study, 380 (88.8%) and 328 (76.6%) reported an elevation in the engagement in patient education and medication review after COVID-19, respectively. On the other hand, 247 (57.7%) and 179 (41.8%) of pharmacists reported that the frequency of their pharmaceutical interventions and physicians' acceptance of those interventions increased after COVID-19, which was significantly associated (p=0.01) with pharmacists' ability to intervene on the dosage regimen of COVID-19 patient. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care in the UAE has evolved after COVID-19, particularly in the aspects of medications dispensing, telepharmacy, and patient-centered services.

Keywords

  • Pharmaceutical Care
  • COVID-19
  • Telepharmacy
  • Information technology tools
  • Medication dispensing
  • Medication review
  • Patient education
Pharmacy Practice

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