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Community pharmacists' perceptions, attitudes and barriers towards pharmacist-led minor ailment services in Malaysia

Selvaraj A, Redzuan AM, Hatah E

Int J Clin Pharm, 2020 Apr;42(2):777-785.
PMID: 32006142 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-020-00973-x

Background Community pharmacists are increasingly recognized to have an important role in providing a convenient and accessible alternative support for patients with minor ailments. In view of the abilities of community pharmacists in managing minor ailments, some countries have started the pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes that offers public access to treatment and advice of minor ailments from their local pharmacist. Nevertheless, there is limited study in Malaysia that explore the current practice of community pharmacists in managing minor ailment. Objective This study aims to evaluate community pharmacists' perceptions, attitudes and barriers of pharmacist-led minor ailment services. Setting Community pharmacists in Malaysia. Methods A cross-sectional survey among community pharmacists practicing in Malaysia was conducted between December 2017 until March 2018. The self-administered survey was distributed online via email, Facebook and WhatsApp's group. Main outcome measure Community pharmacists' perceptions, attitude and barriers towards minor-ailment service in community pharmacy settings. Results A total of 305 community pharmacists had completed the survey. The majority of community pharmacists in Malaysia had positive perceptions and attitudes towards pharmacist-led minor ailment services. The most common perceived barriers were lack of patient's medical information, absence of dispensing separation and lack of support from other healthcare professionals. Ethnicity, position and years of working experience were found to have significant associations with community pharmacists' score of attitudes and barriers related to minor ailment treatment in community pharmacy settings. Conclusion Community pharmacists in Malaysia have positive perceptions and attitudes over benefits of minor ailment services to public, however the barriers towards the service must be overcome to ensure service is sustainable for public's benefits.
Fulltext The Need for Automated Drug Dispensing Systems (ADDS) at In-Patient Pharmacy Departments in Malaysia: A Brief Overview

Ramachandram DS, Kow CS, Selvaraj A, Appalasamy JR

Hosp Pharm, 2023 Apr;58(2):117-119.
PMID: 36890957 DOI: 10.1177/00185787221122653
Effects of educational interventions on the smoking cessation service provided by community pharmacists: A systematic review

Appalasamy JR, Selvaraj A, Wong YH, Dujaili JA, Kow CS

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2022 Jan 31.
PMID: 35168890 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.01.008

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions on the smoking cessation service provided by community pharmacists.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in May-July 2021, in electronic databases, which included PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were included in this systematic review if they were original articles published in English language from 2010 to 2021 and evaluated the effect of any types of educational interventions intended to improve the ability of community pharmacists to provide smoking cessation services.
RESULTS: In total, 12 studies were included for this systematic review. The effectiveness of the educational interventions across the included studies was measured using a range of outcomes, which can be broadly categorized into 3 categories, namely changes in pharmacists' self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude toward providing smoking cessation service, changes in pharmacists' smoking cessation practices, and changes in the effectiveness of community pharmacy based smoking cessation services. Included studies reported that educational interventions can improve pharmacists' self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude toward smoking cessation, as well as pharmacists' smoking cessation practices. Though the evidence is limited, improvement in the effectiveness of community pharmacy based smoking cessation services has also been observed.
CONCLUSION: Any form educational interventions can positively impact improve community pharmacists' self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude toward smoking cessation, as well as pharmacists' smoking cessation practices, but it is currently uncertain whether these outcomes are able to translate into higher effectiveness of the community pharmacy based smoking cessation services.
The workload and satisfaction of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants after installation of an automated tablet dispensing and packaging system in a tertiary university hospital in Malaysia

Ramachandram DS, Tan CH, Selvaraj A, Appalasamy JR, Kow CS

Int J Pharm Pract, 2024 Feb 15;32(1):100-103.
PMID: 38029419 DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riad085

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of pharmacy automation on the workload and satisfaction of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in an inpatient setting.
METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling method conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) In-Patient Pharmacy. A validated online questionnaire assessed user satisfaction and task duration.
RESULTS: A total of 21 pharmacists and 18 pharmacy assistants participated in the survey. Most pharmacists (n = 17/21) were confident in the system, and both pharmacists and pharmacy assistants perceived it to be beneficial for patients (n = 33/39) and for reducing medication errors (n = 32/39). Pharmacy assistants spent approximately 5.34 hours on traditional work including filling medication orders (1.44 hours) after automated tablet dispensing and packaging system (ATDPS) implementation. Pharmacists spent 1.19 hours filling medication orders and 1.71 hours checking/verifying them, in contrast.
CONCLUSION: Pharmacists focused mainly on clinical duties with healthcare colleagues, while pharmacy assistants handled various medication orders. Nevertheless, ATDPS reduced pharmacy staff workload in medication handling, achieving user satisfaction.
Correction: Community Pharmacists' Views on Their Roles in Mental Health Screening and Management in Malaysia

Mok SL, Chuah JY, Lee KJ, Lim YD, Appalasamy JR, San Saw P, et al.

Community Ment Health J, 2024 Sep 11.
PMID: 39259480 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01358-4
Community Pharmacists' Views on Their Roles in Mental Health Screening and Management in Malaysia

Mok SL, Chuah JY, Lee KJ, Lim YD, Appalasamy JR, Saw PS, et al.

Community Ment Health J, 2024 Aug 12.
PMID: 39133358 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01337-9

Community pharmacists (CPs) are vital as primary healthcare providers, particularly in the screening and management of mental health issues. This study aimed to explore CPs' views on mental health support for patients and the potential challenges in delivering mental health services. Malaysian CPs were recruited through purposive and snowballing sampling. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was thematically analyzed using NVivo 12 management software. Twenty CPs from Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed. Participants emphasized the importance of high-quality resources, comprehensive training and standardized tools to effectively provide mental healthcare services. Challenges identified were lack of knowledge and skills, absence of screening tools and social stigma and conservatism, particularly among older individuals. This study underscores the willingness of CPs taking a primary role in mental health services. However, collaboration with relevant stakeholders is crucial, aligning with national strategic plans for the program to be successful.