Assessment of community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward drug misuse and abuse in Jordan: A Cross- sectional study

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medications, positioning them as key stakeholders in addressing drug abuse and misuse. However, limited data exist on their readiness and perspectives in this area, particularly in Jordan.Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of community pharmacists regarding drug abuse, to identify potential pharmacy-based initiatives to address the issue, to examine the barriers they encounter, and to highlight opportunities for enhancing pharmacist-led interventions in controlling medication misuse. Method: A reliability-validated online survey was created and sent out through social media to the community pharmacists to fill out and gain the knowledge and practice about drug abuse and misuse. Results: Most pharmacists (90.7%) reported encountering cases of drug misuse in their workplace, with over half (51.9%) facing ten or more incidents. While some claimed to know the difference between “misuse” and “abuse,” only a certain percentage had received formal training on the topic. Despite ethical concerns, 30.6% admitting to treat suspected abusers differently, most pharmacists (92.9%) recognized their preventive role and expressed high willingness (93.8%) to receive future training. Knowledge levels were generally moderate, but practical preparedness and confidence in regulatory frameworks varied. Conclusion: In conclusion, the research highlights the need to monitor prescription and distribution processes properly; Jordanian community pharmacists demonstrate a moderate awareness of drug abuse issues and a clear willingness to engage in prevention. However, gaps in training and inconsistent attitudes highlight the need for enhanced education.