Management of acute diarrhea by community pharmacies

Abstract

Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals and they are often involved in managing diarrhea symptom. Aim of the study was to evaluate the practices of Republic of Armenia pharmacy employees when managing diarrhea, with specific focus on medicine dispensing, pharmaceutical care and also consumer preferences about medicines. The survey was conducted among 284 pharmacy employees selected randomly sampling during 2019-2021. Primary information was collected using a questionnaire. Pharmacy employee in Armenia was asked about their knowledge and dispensing recommendations to manage diarrhea. On each question is attached diagram or table. The results were analyzed with SPSS statistical software, version 12.0. Diarrhea is considered a common symptom, about which patients very often seek the advice of a pharmacy staff. Pharmacy employees dispense a large number of drugs for diarrhea every day. The most common medicines recommended by them were Antimotelities, then Probiotics, Intestinal adsorbent, Antibiotics, Oral rehydration solutions and Antimicrobial. The most common demanded medicines by consumers were also Antimotelity medicines, Antibiotics, then Probiotics, Intestinal adsorbent, oral rehydration solutions and Antimicrobial. Pharmaceutical advice given by pharmacy staff on medicine use and side effects was poor. In question what are the major side effects of medicines you are offered, most pharmacy staff (55%) did not respond, 20% of pharmacy employees noted side effects on the gastrointestinal system, 7% on the nervous system. 8% of pharmacy employees noted allergic reaction and 10% other different side effects. According to the study, the majority of pharmacy employees receive information about over-the-counter drugs of for diarrhea from sources on the Internet. Only few participants used formularies, standard tables, professional books and lectures. It is important to improve pharmacy employees’ knowledge in the area of Pharmaceutical care during minor illnesses such as diarrhea and to develop pharmaceutical care algorithms that will help the pharmacy employees in consumer consultation.