Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2026 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
(1) Background: Medication-related problems (MRPs) are a significant burden on health care systems. Pharmacists play an important role in preventing and reducing MRPs through clinical review, education, and policy governance. This study analyzed pharmacist interventions within a 92-bed neonatal clinical care unit to better understand MRPs and guide targeted medication safety initiatives. (2) Methods: All pharmacist interventions documented in REDCap® between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2025 were analyzed identifying MRP incidence, types, and acceptability following interventions. (3) Results: A total of 873 pharmacist interventions were recorded during the study period. The most common MRPs were related to dosing errors (320/873, 36.7%), compliance with hospital policy (152/873, 17.4%), no indication apparent (106/873, 12.1%), drug interactions (66/873, 7.6%), and inadequate laboratory monitoring (40/873, 4.6%). Of these, 545/873, 62.4% were accepted by prescribers, while 228/873, 26.1% had unknown outcomes at the time of data entry. 343/873, 39.3% of interventions documented were from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, involving medications such as gentamicin (n = 46/343, 13.4%), benzylpenicillin (n = 37/343, 10.8%), caffeine (n = 34/343, 9.9%), parenteral nutrition (n = 23/343, 6.7%), and morphine (n = 16/343, 4.7%) and meropenem (n = 16/343, 4.7%)). (4) Conclusions: Regular analysis of pharmacist interventions provides valuable insights into local MRP trends and highlights opportunities for quality improvement and education....
Introduction: Maintaining adherence and access to antiretroviral treatment is basic for good management of people with HIV (PWH), while enhancing patient satisfaction. With the aim of shifting from drug-centered into patient-centered care and integrating care interventions into community settings, here we share an outpatient hospital pharmaceutical care implementation model for PWH. This model involves the delivery of medication through a community center, BCN-Checkpoint, using a proprietary app and coordinated with automated locker systems. Methods: During the pre-implementation phase the circuit was defined and seven steps were considered critical for successful implementation: (1) assignation of teams and roles; (2) adaptation of the self-developed app; (3) development of a patient journey map; (4) locker installation and system integration with data from the electronic records; (5) staff training; (6) review of data protection regulations; (7) simulation tests. A two-phase simulation—with fictitious users and with real ones—validated the system. The implementation phase included an initial pilot study, in which 46 patients were included in the project. Results: System uptake was high, with strong adherence to the dispensing pathway; only five discontinuations due to personal preferences or availability of alternative dispensing pathways. Several barriers to implementation emerged, primarily categorized into technical issues, process and operational challenges, coordination, and user-related difficulties. However, a communitarian setting, flexible attention times and protocols, and the strong intersectoral collaboration between specialists are believed to increase patient retention and overall satisfaction. Conclusions: The implementation of an outpatient dispensing hospital medication model using an app and automated locker systems is feasible, considering detail to procedures, timely adaptations, and staff training....
Background: Visual impairment (VI) describes decreased visual function that interferes with an individual’s ability to perform daily activities, such as reading, driving, and other executive tasks. Providing optimal pharmaceutical care for this population can be challenging for pharmacists, as individuals with VI face numerous obstacles in managing their medications. This study explores the challenges experienced by pharmacists and visually impaired patients and aims to compare their points of view to identify existing gaps and propose recommendations to optimize medication use among individuals with VI. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2024 and January 2025 among pharmacists (n = 152) and visually impaired patients (n = 31) in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. Pharmacists completed a self-administered questionnaire, while data from visually impaired patients were collected via structured face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Version 21, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 152 pharmacists and 31 visually impaired individuals participated in the study. Only 5.3% of pharmacists had received training related to VI care, and most counseling was directed to caregivers rather than patients (80.3%). pharmacists with additional training in VI were significantly more likely to employ unique or appropriate packaging methods (p < 0.001), and male pharmacists were more likely to rely on caregivers during OTC counseling (p = 0.014). Among the visually impaired participants, 77.5% reported difficulty reading medication packages and 67.7% faced challenges entering pharmacies. Braille literacy was significantly higher among males (p = 0.018) and those with higher education (p = 0.022). Overall, 90.3% expressed a need for improved accessibility tools and communication support in pharmacies. Conclusions: Pharmacists showed confidence in assisting visually impaired patients; however, most lacked formal training and relied heavily on caregivers for communication. Visually impaired individuals also reported difficulties accessing pharmacies, reading medication labels, and receiving complete information from pharmacists. Based on these findings, implementing specialized training programs, expanding Braille and tactile labeling, and integrating assistive technologies within pharmacies are recommended to improve safety and equitable medication use....
Background: Burnout is a significant occupational risk among healthcare professionals, including community pharmacy staff, whose differing roles and responsibilities may influence burnout determinants. This study aimed to compare burnout levels and associated work characteristics between master pharmacists (MPs) and assistant pharmacists (APs) working in community pharmacies in Northeastern Bulgaria. Methods: A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted between November 2023 and December 2024 using an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire completed by 221 MPs and 151 APs. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, measuring emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA).Work characteristics were evaluated using items adapted from an internationally recognized European Commission guideline on occupational health and safety risks in the healthcare sector. Results: High levels of EE and DP were observed in both groups, with no statistically significant differences in mean burnout scores. Age and years of professional experience were not significantly associated with burnout. However, work environment factors differed: poor team communication and a negative workplace climate affected both groups, whereas lack of recognition and support was more influential for MPs, and physical workload and frequent interruptions were more prominent stressors for APs. Conclusions: Burnout is prevalent among community pharmacy professionals, with role-specific organizational factors shaping its determinants and highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies....
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic disease requiring effective pharmacological treatment, sustained self-management, and patient education. Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as key contributors to diabetes care; however, their role remains underutilized in Bulgaria. This study aimed to assess self-management behaviors, medication adherence, patient awareness, and the perceived role of pharmacists among patients with T2DM in Bulgarian primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 105 patients with T2DM using an anonymous questionnaire based on the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire and supplementary items adapted to the local healthcare context. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to explore associations between demographic characteristics, treatment patterns, self-management behaviors, and educational needs. Results: Most patients were treated with oral antidiabetic therapy (90.0%), predominantly metformin-based regimens (64.0%). Adherence to prescribed pharmacological treatment was high (93.0%), while adherence to dietary recommendations (70.0%), regular physical activity (60.0%), and blood glucose self-monitoring (63.0%) was less consistent. Although 92.0% of participants reported good or excellent disease awareness, 41.0% expressed a need for additional education, particularly regarding confidence in managing hypoglycemia and the use of digital monitoring tools. More than half of respondents (54.0%) had received diabetes-related information from a pharmacist; however, only 38.0% expressed willingness to participate in pharmacist-led education, while 34.0% were undecided. Female sex was associated with a higher prevalence of comorbidities (p = 0.010), while increasing age was associated with reduced metformin use (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Despite good pharmacological adherence and self-reported awareness, gaps remain in lifestyle-related self-management and patient education. The findings support an expanded role for pharmacists in diabetes care, particularly through structured educational and counseling interventions to enhance self-management and complement physician-led treatment....
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