Counseling Practices of Pharmacists at Medical Stores/Pharmacies in Karachi Pakistan
Nayel Syed
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Mirza Tasawer Baig
*
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Adeel Arsalan
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Aiman Syed
Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Abid Khan
Health Department, Government of Sindh Karachi, Pakistan.
Uzma Shahid
Surecell Australian Stem Cell Clinic Karachi, Pakistan.
Uzma Basit
Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Bushra Imtiaz Ali
Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Shahzada Azam Khan
Memon Medical Institute Hospital Karachi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Dispensing medicines means delivering complete knowledge about the medicine being dispensed to that patient. Patient’s counseling regarding their medications play a very important role to achieve the high efficacy and proper constancy on therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the counseling practices of pharmacist from customers’ perspective.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study, conducted among who were selected at random at pharmacies/ medical stores, while purchasing medications for them and/or for their loved ones. The study finally included 365 patients or attendants of the patients. The data obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis through SPPS version 25.
Results: 289 (81.37%) patients were counseled when they purchased antibiotics about the completion of the therapy and to take the doses timely. Only 4 patients were told about missing a dose.
Conclusion: There were different results of candidates majority of them were satisfied with on-going pharmacy service but some were not. Candidates also told about the lack of information given by the health care professional /pharmacist prior to dispensing.
Keywords: Patient counseling, community pharmacies, medical stores, dispending, pharmacists, pharmacy practice, patient care