Background
Method
Ethical approval
Study design
Study setting
Study population
Sample size determination
Research instruments
Data collection
Data analysis
Results
Demographics
Demographic factor | Variable | Frequency (Percentage) |
---|---|---|
Gender | Male | 63 (52.9) |
Female | 56 (47.1) | |
Community Pharmacy Experience | 1–5 years | 80 (67.2) |
6–10 years | 23 (19.2) | |
> 10 years | 16 (13.3) | |
Educational Qualifications | B.Pharm only | 95 (79.8) |
B.Pharm and other qualifications | 24 (20.2) |
Knowledge and attitude
Question Statement | Correct Response Frequency (% frequency) |
---|---|
The following are pairs of antipsychotics (Haloperidol and Chlorpromazine) | 71 (59.7) |
Benzodiazepines are classical examples of antipsychotics | 72 (60.5) |
The following best describes a major side effect associated with second generation antipsychotics | 81 (68.1) |
Second generation antipsychotics are marked majorly with the following adverse effects | 58 (48.7) |
Aripiprazole is an example of third generation antipsychotic | 23 (19.3) |
Mood disorders e.g. depression should better be treated with tricyclic antidepressants | 70 (58.8) |
Schizophrenia is better treated with antipsychotics | 96 (80.7) |
Antipsychotics are used in the treatment of schizophrenia | 108 (90.8) |
The following except one should not be done for someone just showing signs of psychosis | 64 (53.8) |
Antipsychotics can be sold as over-the-counter drugs (OTCs). | 96 (80.6) |
Antipsychotics should be stopped once the signs and symptoms start to cease. | 107 (89.9) |
Atypical antipsychotics are more associated with neurologic side effects then typical antipsychotics. | 58 (48.7) |
It is safer to place a patient with diabetes mellitus on atypical antipsychotics than on typical antipsychotics. | 62 (52.7) |
Typical antipsychotics are marked with less neurologic effects. | 103 (86.6) |
Butyrophenones e.g. Haloperidol are classical examples of atypical antipsychotics. | 84 (70.6) |
Sometimes, as a community pharmacist, it is better to initiate antipsychotic therapy in a patient especially when the signs are recurring. | 87 (73.1) |
It is advisable to give anxiolytics e.g. benzodiazepines alongside with antipsychotic medications especially in patients that show physical aggression. | 18 (15.1) |
Variable | Rank Frequency (% frequency) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | ||
Gender n = 116 | Female | 15 (12.9) | 29 (25.0) | 6 (5.2) | 3 (2.6) |
Male | 14 (12.1) | 23 (19.8) | 17 (14.7) | 9 (7.8) | |
Educational Qualifications n = 117 | B.Pharm Only | 20 (17.1) | 47 (40.2) | 18 (15.4) | 10 (8.5) |
Additional Qualifications | 9 (7.7) | 6 (5.3) | 5 (4.3) | 2 (1.7) | |
Years of Experience N = 117 | 1–5 years | 15 (12.8) | 42 (35.9) | 15 (12.8) | 8 (6.8) |
6–10 years | 8 (6.8) | 8 (6.8) | 6 (5.1) | 1 (0.9) | |
> 10 years | 6 (5.1) | 3 (2.6) | 2 (1.7) | 3 (2.6) |
Statements | No Frequency (%) | Yes Frequency (%) |
---|---|---|
Sometimes, I dispense antipsychotics as over-the-counter drugs, especially in an emergency situation. For instance, if a known antipsychotic patient ran out of his or her medication and is in urgent need of it. | 91 (76.5) | 28 (23.5) |
I do not request for prescription for antipsychotics especially for known patients. | 49 (41.2) | 70 (58.8) |
I believe every patient that walks into the Pharmacy requesting for antipsychotics know what they want to use it for, so I dispense it when they request for it. | 32 (26.9) | 87 (73.1) |
I dispense the cheaper classes of antipsychotics (Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol) as over-the-counter drugs but when it comes to the purchase of the expensive ones (Risperidone, Olanzapine), I ask for prescription. | 9 (7.6) | 110 (92.4) |
I readily dispense antipsychotics especially then the patient begs that he or she is in dire need of it. | 34 (28.6) | 85 (71.4) |
Sometimes, parents come to get antipsychotics for their children, and I readily dispense it especially when they tell me it’s for their children. | 29 (24.4) | 90 (75.6) |
I readily dispense antipsychotics especially when clients give good reports about the last brand they bought. | 16 (13.4) | 103 (86.6) |
I readily dispense antipsychotics to patients when they tell me they’ve been on it for long. | 50 (42.0) | 69 (58.0) |
I can switch to another class of antipsychotics when a patient gives complaints about the one he/she currently on. | 21 (17.6) | 98 (82.4) |
I will rather dispense chlorpromazine to an obese patient rather than dispense clozapine because of the weight gain associated with clozapine. | 26 (21.8) | 93 (78.2) |
Simulated patient outcome
In-depth interview
License limits and specialization
Referral and discretion
Adherence
Theme | Codes |
---|---|
Referral and Discretion | 1. Referral 2. Antipsychotics specialist business, not pharmacists. 3. Dispense without prescription 4. Recommend antipsychotics 5. ‘First aid’ in the management of psychotic related signs 6. Breach of trust 7. Antipsychotics as off-label |
License limits and Specialization | 1. Negative implications of over-the-counter dispensing of antipsychotics 2. Specialization 3. Need for knowledge base for community pharmacist |
Adherence | 1. Encouraging non-adherence 2. Cost of seeing physician 3. Unfairness to patient |