Pharmacists’ Opinions on the Selection, Procurement, Storage, and Distribution of Narcotic Drugs in Schedule II at Public Hospitals in a Province

Abstract

Objective: To survey the opinions of pharmacists in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC) on the selection, procurement, storage and distribution of narcotics in schedule 2 in public hospitals in one province. Method: This descriptive study employed a structured questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire was examined for content validity was piloted in hospitals in nearby provinces. Subjects were one pharmacist in each of 11 hospitals including 1 provincial hospital (S), 2 large community hospitals (M2), 2 medium sized community hospitals (F1), and 6 small community hospitals (F2). Results: All items of narcotics in schedule 2 were selected under the consideration of PTCs with only opioid drugs for severe pain selected. The conditions for drug selection in each hospital were different. Most selected only one type of drug, dosage form and potency. However, provincial hospital had many strengths and different forms of medications. In 2016, items selected in the hospital ranged from 3 to 13 items. All purchased from the Food and Drug Administration. 54.54 percent of subjects indicated that the documents used in purchasing and processes were complicated. When the medications were in shortage, the subjects would borrow from other hospitals. The medications were stored at the central inventory in separated cabinets, and sub-inventories in some wards in needs. All hospitals did not allow the medications to be used outside the hospital. Conclusion: In the selection and procurement, there were provincial drug list and procedure for drug borrowing within the province. The PTC at the provincial level should make agreement on the drug list of each province at each hospital level and organize drug borrowing system within the province with the participation of related personnel. In addition, it should understand the rules and have clear agreements with the Food and Drug Administration to simplify the process of purchasing and reporting.