Challenges of Implementing the Pharmaceutical Care Concept

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceutical care is an all-embracing invention in pharmacy that transcends the barrier of provision of pharmaceutical products. It is a patient-centered, outcome-oriented pharmacy practice that requires pharmacists to work in concert with other health professionals to promote health, prevent disease, and assess, monitor, and modify medication use to ensure that drug therapy regimens are safe and effffective. The aim of this study was to assess the state of practice of pharmaceutical care and the willingness of other health professionals to key-in to its use.

Methods: Key-informant interview and semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 23 pharmacists in the employment of the State Hospital, Asubiaro and the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo in Osun State. Ethical approval was obtained from the Osun State Health Research Committee.

Results: Out of the 23 respondents, 73.9% did not possess the required clinical skills to effffectively practice Pharmaceutical care. 69.5% could not use appropriate software for drug information. 65.2% are unwilling to change the traditional method of pharmacy practice. Majority of the respondents (91.3%) believed that implementing pharmaceutical care requires more time and efffforts and should attract more remuneration. 78.3% agreed that other health professionals are uncomfortable with the implementation of pharmaceutical care.

Conclusion: In conclusion, although pharmaceutical care has been in existence for decades, its widespread implementation is yet to be realized. Also, though the knowledge exists, there are inadequate skills for pharmaceutical care practice. A number of other barriers also militate against its implementation. The study revealed that these barriers are however not insurmountable