Community Pharmacy Practices in Timergara City Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the community pharmacy practices in Timergara City in view of the standards set by the Drug Regulatory Authorities of Pakistan (DRAP). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacies, Timergara city, was conducted from 2nd October to 28th November 2016. Out of 155 community pharmacies 149 community pharmacies participated in the study. The data was collected on structured questionnaire. Face to face interview technique was used for data collection. RESULTS: Among these pharmacies only 02 (01%) dispensers were qualified pharmacist with a Pharm-D degree, 08 (05%) had B-Pharm degree, 80 (54%) had diploma in pharmacy and 59 (40%) had passed the pharmacy examination. Majority of community pharmacies 141 (95%) were selling medicines without prescription. In 140 (94%) of pharmacies, there were no arrangements for the control of insects, rodents and birds to prevent and eliminate possible infestation. In 140 (94%) pharmacies the medicines were stored on the floor, stairs and passageways due to lack of space. Only one pharmacy had temperature monitoring device and 19 (13%) pharmacies had refrigerators. Majority of the pharmacies 113 (76%) were using register for keeping record of the sale and purchase medicines. In 128 (86%) pharmacies the entrance was not accessible to the peoples with physical disabilities. CONCLUSION: The community pharmacy practices in Timergara City was ineffectual with inexperienced staff, lack of prescription and security, and medicines were not stored according to the Drug Regulatory Authorities of Pakistan.