Drug Dispensing and Counseling in Primary Care Units of the Tenth Health Region

Abstract

Objectives: To explore and analyze factors affecting drug dispensing and counseling among primary care units of the 10^th health region. Methods: The study was a  mixed-method study. A survey of drug dispensers and counselors in subdistrict health promoting hospitals (SDHPHs) employed a questionnaire consisting of questions on the practices of 55 activities within six domains including management of drug system (22 items), standard on drug dispensing and advices (10 items), promotion of rational drug use (9 items), monitoring system for medication error (8 items), monitoring system for drug allergy (3 items), and monitoring system for high alert drugs (3 items). The questions were close ended questions with 3 response options (yes-no-do not know) with a total score of 55. The study also conducted semi-structured interviews with nine survey respondents to explore factors affecting the provision of this service. Results: There were 132 responses. Registered nurse was a main drug dispenser and counselor (93.18%). Overall provision of drug dispensing and advice obtained an average score of 48.50±8.61 from the full score of 55. The scores in each domain were as follows: management of drug system (17.71±5.80 from the full score of 22), standard on drug dispensing and advices (9.53±1.03 from the full score of 10), promotion of rational drug use (8.57±1.11 from the full score of 9), monitoring system for medication error (7.22±1.32 from the full score of 8), monitoring system for drug allergy (2.91±0.34 from the full score of 3), and monitoring system for high alert drugs (2.91±0.34 from the full score of 3). Previous training on drug dispensing and counseling and label printers potentially enhanced this task (P<0.001). Interviews identified factors positively and negatively affecting this task including personnel, dispensing process, and adhering to the standard for the starred SDHPHs. Conclusion: Overall provision of drug dispensing and counseling among primary care units of the 10^th health region was satisfactory. However, primary care units expressed a need of pharmacist to support them. Therefore, pharmacist should be encouraged to regularly work at primary care units.