Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medications Literacy among Community Pharmacists

Abstract

Background and objectives: Community pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the patient’s adherence to medications, thus achieving therapeutic outcomes. The present study had two aims: to measure the extent of knowledge that community pharmacists had about psychotropic medications and to determine the factors associated with higher knowledge scores. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured online questionnaire. The study instrument assessed demographics, general practice characteristics related to psychotropics and a battery of factual questions that assessed the knowledge of pharmacists about psychotropic medications using closed-ended responses. A total knowledge score consisting of the sum of correct responses was calculated; the passing score was 75%. A total of 676 pharmacists completed the survey. Results: Only 20% passed the threshold score (75%) for the factual knowledge questions, and only (11.0%) were very comfortable with their knowledge of psychotropic agents. A total of 49.0% of the respondents felt that they had been adequately trained to counsel patients on psychotropic agents. According to the regression model, pharmacists who reported higher knowledge were more experienced (0.63, (0.26–1.0), p < 0.001), reported studying the topic in the pharmacy school (0.77 (0.27–1.26), p = 0.002) holding a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree (0.24 (0.05–0.43), p = 0.01), and reported a higher perceived knowledge (0.29 (0.01–0.38), p = 0.038). Conclusion: Community pharmacists reported poor knowledge of psychotropic medications, and continuous medical and professional education programs are mandatory.