Comparison of the Assessment of Pharmacy Practice for Community Pharmacies between The Lao PeopleXs Democratic Republic and Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: Monitoring quality of community pharmacy is a mean to protect consumer using service from community pharmacies. This study aimed to compare the assessment of pharmacy practice for community pharmacies in the Lao Peoplens Democratic Republic between and that in Thailand and propose recommendations for improvement. Methods: This is a documentary research, using content analysis technique to synthesize the results. Results: : The items of the assessment of pharmacy practice for community pharmacies in Thailand that should be adopted in Lao is the prohibition of the sale of dangerous and special controlled drugs when pharmacists in charge do not present in the pharmacies. There are two items that are assessed in Thailand but should have not yet adopted in Lao as they are not suitable for Lao context. These are the assessment of the quality of the screening and referring patients to other appropriate health facilities by community pharmacists, and the readiness of the facilities and equipment for extemporaneous preparations. Conclusion: Although the process of law enactment in Lao is relatively less complex than that in Thailand; positive measures, rather than law enforcement, should be employed to ensure the quality of the practice of community pharmacies. The measures used to improve quality of community pharmacies in Thailand should be adopted. At the early stage of the improvement, the assessors should make community pharmacies understand the importance of the assessment, persuade and encourage them to improve their pharmacies. After community pharmacists undergo the learning process until they are able to organize their pharmacies to meet with the expected standard, the law enforcement shall then be implemented.