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Research Article
Perceptions of
Dispensers Regarding Dispensing Practices in Pakistan: A
Qualitative Study
Azhar Hussain1* and Mohamed IM
Ibrahim2
1School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia,
11800 Penang, Malaysia, 2Department of Social
and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, PO Box
6800, Al Qassim University, 51452 Buraidah, Al Qassim,
Saudi Arabia.
* For correspondence:
E-mail:
azharhussain10971@gmail.com or
azhar_26@yahoo.com
Tel: 00-92-51- 2287312, 00-92-300-5002505; Fax:
00-92-51-2287319
Received: 9 October
2010 Revised
accepted: 11 February 2011
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, April 2011;
10(2):
117-123
Abstract
Purpose :
To explore the perceptions’ of dispensers regarding
dispensing practices and the salient factors affecting
dispensing practices in three major cities of Pakistan -
Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore.
Methods :
A qualitative study with snowball sampling technique was
used to identify fifteen dispensers working in community
pharmacies in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the
dispensers until the point of saturation was obtained.
The interviews which focused on three major components,
namely dispensing practices, regulation and influencing
factors, and suggestions for improvements were
audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed.
Results :
Thematic content analysis of the interview components
yielded further seven major themes which were services
provided at community pharmacies, quality of service
provided by community pharmacies, expectation from
community pharmacies, who was responsible for
dispensing, obstacles to appropriate dispensing
practices, laws and factors governing pharmacy practice
in Pakistan, and strategies to improve current
dispensing practices.
Conclusion :
All respondents in the different cities agreed that
there was a shortage of pharmacists leading to their
roles being taken over by the non-professionally
qualified personnel working in community pharmacies.
They also agreed that implementation of laws governing
pharmacy practice in Pakistan is weak. These two main
factors were considered to be responsible for the low
quality services provided at community pharmacies.
Keywords:
Dispensers, Dispensing Practices, Pakistan, Qualitative
methodology |
