Pharmacy Employees’ Knowledge and Dispensing Recommendations for Treatment of Diarrhea in Republic of Armenia

Abstract

Background: Pharmacy employees are the most accessible healthcare professionals and they are often involved in managing minor ailments within the community setting. Aim and objective was to study and evaluate pharmacy employees’ knowledge and dispensing recommendations for treatment of diarrhea in Republic of Armenia (RA).

Methodology: The survey was conducted among 330 pharmacy employees selected randomly sampling during 2018-2019. Primary information was collected using a questionnaire. Pharmacy employee in Armenia were asked about their knowledge and dispensing recommendations to manage diarrhea. On each question are attached diagram or table. The results were analyzed with SPSS statistical software, version 12.0.

Result: The advice given by pharmacy staff to purchasers was poor. The most common medicines recommended by pharmacy employees were Antimotelities 27%, then Probiotics 21%, Intestinal adsorbent 17%, Antibiotics 8%, Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) 7%, Antimicrobial 7%. 10% of respondents didn’t answer. The most common demanded medicines by consumers were also Antimotelity medicines 27%, Antibiotics 24%, then Probiotics 15%, Intestinal adsorbent 11%, ORS 5%, Antimicrobial 4% and 14% of consumers didn’t answer. 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.

Conclusion. 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.