Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pharmacists towards Drug Interactions in Saudi Arabia
Mohamed S. Imam *
Pharmacy Practice Department, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia and Clinical Pharmacy Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
Randa M. Abdel-Sattar
Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia.
Othman AlOmeir
Pharmacy Practice Department, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia.
Hussain A. Mahzari
Zulfi General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Sami M. Alhamdhi
Al-Qawara general hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Tariq Y. Alhazmi
Fifa General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Y. Hassani
Arar Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Amr S. Alamri
King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Ali I. Alsubaihi
AlNahdi Pharmacy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fahad M. Alotaibi
DawadmiGeneral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Drug interactions, which are generally encountered in medical prescriptions, may lead to severe health issues. Pharmacists in both the public and private pharmacy setting are by profession in a unique position to gain and use their competencies to find and prohibit drug interactions.
Aim of the Study: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists toward drug interactions in Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self- administered questionnaire.
Results: Two hundred sixty-three pharmacists participated in the survey and results were expressed in frequencies and percentages. The mean age of participant pharmacists was (31.7) years showing a relatively young participant’s population. Males were (75.3%), while females were (24.7%). Majority of pharmacists (67.3%) were working in public sector. Half of them had a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy as their latest academic degree.
Participants’ averages of awareness, attitude and practice regarding drug interactions, correct knowledge of drug-drug, drug-food, drug-disease interactions were, (90.7%), (65.3%), (67.7%), (61.7%) respectively. Most (79.8%) of the participants asserted that the notified doctors usually agree with pharmacists’ opinion and decision. This percentage indicates a good cooperation when compared to other studies.
Conclusion: Pharmacists’ knowledge about drug interactions was inadequate. Lack of knowledge of drug interactions may lead to improper patient counseling and the appearance of adverse effects. There is a need to improve the knowledge and to uplift the level of awareness of pharmacists about the potential drug interactions that are clinically related.
Keywords: Pharmacists, drug-interactions, knowledge, awareness