METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administrated, web-based survey (Google form) among the public in Malaysia between May and June 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Associations between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the use of drive-thru community pharmacy services were assessed using a chi-square test. Regression analyses were carried out to determine whether the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were associated with perceptions towards drive-thru community pharmacy services.

RESULTS: A total of 565 (70.6%) of the general public completed the survey instrument. The median age of study participants was 40.0 (IQR = 36.0) and about half of them were males (50.6%, n = 286). Although 18.6% (n = 105) of the participants reported the presence of DTCPS in their cities, only 9.0% (n = 51) reported having used this service. Most of the participants were supportive to establish drive-thru services at community pharmacies in the country. Most of the believed advantages among participants were that DTCPS are helpful during COVID-19 and quarantine time 48.0% (n = 271) by enhancing social distancing and reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus 48.5% (n = 274). Among sociodemographic factors, non-Malaysian nationality (p<0.001), and age above 55 years (p = 0.01) were found to negatively affect participants' perceptions towards drive-thru community pharmacy services.

METHODS: To find qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies, that reported on the attitudes, awareness, or perceptions of the general public and pharmacists toward the practice of any extended community pharmacy service and drive-thru pharmacy services in a community setting and conducted from March 2012 to March 2022. Researchers used databases such as Embase, Medline PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The reviewers extracted data independently using the PRISMA checklist.

RESULTS: There were 55 studies found according to the inclusion criteria. Various extended pharmacy services (EPS) and drive-thru pharmacy services were noted in the community setting. Pharmaceutical care services and healthcare promotion services were the noticeable performed extended services. There were positive perceptions and attitudes toward extended and drive-thru pharmacy services among pharmacists and the public. However, some factors, such as lack of time and shortage of staff, affect the practice of those services.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The developed tool consists of 28 items to evaluate believed advantages toward drive-thru community pharmacy services, believed disadvantages toward drive-thru community pharmacy services, differences between drive-thru community pharmacy services and instore drug refill services, perceptions toward drive-thru community pharmacy services and feelings regarding how the introduction of drive-thru pharmacy services may affect the image of community pharmacists. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to identify the factors of the developed tool, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluated the model fitness.

RESULTS: The EFA identified five elements and 25 items for the tool, and through CFA results, the observed model of the 25 items structure of the tool was verified as an excellent fit for the data [χ2 (265, N = 565) = 819.586, p < 0.001, IFI = 0.931, CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.064]. The results of the CFA indicated a good model fit between the observed model and the proposed model. The internal reliability of the entire tool and each factor was very satisfactory as Cronbach's Alpha for the whole structured tool was 0.843 and for each factor was as follows, first factor (believed advantages) = 0.909, second factor (believed disadvantages) = 0.921, third factor (differences between drive-thru and instore refill) = 0.647, fourth factor (perceptions) = 0.926, and fifth factor (feelings) = 0.681.

METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study, conducted online using a Google form survey using a convenient sampling method among the Malaysian public. The English version of the drive-thru community pharmacy service questionnaire was translated into the Malay language according to international guidelines. The content and face validity of the questionnaire were examined by experts. Then, the questionnaire was pilot tested on 15 native speakers. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. The test-retest reliability was measured with Cohen's κ coefficient.

RESULTS: A total of 519 participants completed the questionnaire. Face and content validity were satisfactory, as noticed by both the experts and pilot study participants. For test-retest reliability (32 participants), most perception statements had very good coefficient agreement values. Cronbach's alpha of the perception part was 0.833, indicating strong internal consistency. The median age of study participants was 50.0 (IQR = 31.0) and about half of them were females (50.3%, n = 261). Despite 20.4% (n = 106) of the participants reported that the drive-thru community pharmacy service was available in their cities, only 10.4% (n = 54) reported using it. Most participants were in favor of introducing drive-thru services in community pharmacies throughout the country. Drive-thru community pharmacies, according to more than half of the participants (n = 394), would be beneficial to the public. Participants acknowledged that community pharmacies with drive-thru services were useful during the COVID-19 and quarantine periods due to the enhanced social distance 43.5% (n = 226), reduced the spread of the COVID-19 virus 47.0% (n = 244), and relieved pressure on other healthcare settings 38.2% (n = 198).

METHODS: In-depth online semi-structured individual interviews were conducted among 25 community pharmacists working in Malaysia. All interviews were conducted between March 2022 and May 2022 and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and then analysed by thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Thematic analysis yielded seven major themes, 1-familiarity with drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 2-willingness toward this service during COVID-19, 3-perceived benefits toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 4-perceived disadvantages toward this service, 5-barriers toward drive-thru community pharmacy service, 6-factors affecting the preference toward this service, and 7-facilitators to drive-thru community pharmacy service. Enhancing social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 were the major perceived benefits of this service during COVID-19 as reported by participants.