Vinci Mizranita1*, Fauziyyah Sakinatun Nisa2
Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia1,2
Email: mizranita@staff.uns.ac.id
KEYWORDS |
ABSTRACT |
Common Ailments, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy
Services, Indonesia. |
Managing common ailments is increasingly important
in developing countries. It is essential for community pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians to manage these ailments effectively to enhance
treatment outcomes. While developed countries have successfully implemented
such services, Indonesia lacks sufficient documentation of these practices.
This disparity is significant since community pharmacies frequently serve as
the initial point of contact for the community to seek advice regarding their
health problems, particularly for common ailments. Community pharmacies play
a significant role in the healthcare system due to their accessibility and
trustworthiness in improving public health. This study aimed to evaluate the
practice and experiences of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in managing
common ailments and their methods and experiences in providing these services.
Surveys were conducted from May to June 2023 at professional seminars
intended for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacists’ and pharmacy
technicians’ perceptions of managing common ailments were compared using
binary logistic regression. One hundred forty pharmacy technicians and 180
pharmacists in all took part. The findings showed that among the 13 common ailments,
acute pain, dermatitis, diarrhoea, eczema, indigestion/heartburn, and wounds
(P<0.001) were perceived to be under the pharmacist's practice scope. On
the other hand, P<0.001 indicated that conditions such as dandruff,
constipation, and mild headaches were considered within the pharmacy
technician's practice scope. Significant disparities in perceptions of
managing diarrhoea, indigestion, and cough and cold symptoms were also found
in the study, underscoring the diverse range of practice areas. Both groups
were found to be reluctant to charge for consultations for pharmacy services
in managing common ailments, with a higher percentage of pharmacy technicians
being against the opinion. The overall findings of this study highlight the
significance of focused education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in
improving patient care in Indonesian community pharmacies. Defining clear
roles for each professional is essential to enhance training initiatives in
creating accessible healthcare facilities for managing common ailments. |
DOI: 10.58860/ijsh.v3i7.216 |
|
Corresponding Author: Vinci Mizranita*
Email: mizranita@staff.uns.ac.id
INTRODUCTION
A community pharmacy is described as a pharmacy that provides access to
medicines and their provision for a particular community (also identified as
retail premises) (Shirdel et al., 2021).
Published literature describing community pharmacy demonstrates a notable
practice shift over the past two decades (Yuan
et al., 2019; Yusuff et al., 2021). The traditional community pharmacy
model focused on dispensing medicines to patients based on a doctor's
prescription. Additionally,
screening valid prescriptions and providing
interventions and information on the safe and effective use of both prescribed
and non-prescribed (over-the-counter/OTC) was standard
practice (Babar, 2021; Mizranita & Pratisto,
2015).
In many developing countries, community pharmacies are often the first
point of contact for minor health problems because the staff are trusted, have
options to buy medicines in small quantities and provide easy access to
essential medicines (often without prescription). Pharmacies are conveniently
located and provide more prolonged opening hours into the evenings (Belachew et al., 2021). People can visit a
pharmacy without a prior appointment and receive professional advice
immediately from a pharmacist.
This is in contrast to a
doctor's practice, where people must make an appointment in advance for a
consultation, pay a consultation fee, and are often required to wait. There is
no doubt that community pharmacy offers more convenient encounters within the
healthcare system (Yong et al., 2020)
In developing countries, the practice of community pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians is often hindered by factors such as (1) inadequate
pharmacy staff training, (2) profit and business orientation, (3) lack of
pharmacists’ presence, (4) non-pharmacist ownership, (5) lack of contact with
the patient, and (6) low level of quality services (Kellar et al., 2021; Mizranita et al., 2021). Additionally,
optimal management of minor ailments is often compromised as many patients
practice self-medication of over-the-counter medications, bypassing healthcare
providers (Makhlouf et al., 2021). Community
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians need a solid foundation in pharmacy
knowledge to effectively contribute to common ailment management. A
well-trained and accessible pharmacy staff is a crucial factor that may
influence patients to seek common ailment services from a community pharmacy (Makhlouf et al., 2021; Yusuff et al., 2021).
The clinical knowledge of community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
in managing common ailments is vital for improving
healthcare outcomes (Kc et al., 2020; Mizranita
et al., 2023). Insufficient clinical knowledge is one of the main
barriers to providing appropriate interventions (Athiyah
et al., 2019). Whilst the provision of minor ailment services and other
expanded pharmacist roles (e.g., medication therapy management, immunisation)
has been successful in developed countries (Dineen-Griffin
et al., 2020; Mengistu et al., 2019), these practices and the knowledge
of Indonesian pharmacists regarding these roles have not been thoroughly
investigated. Given that most of Indonesian pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians practice in community settings, their experience and knowledge in
managing common ailments remain undocumented. Establishing a basis for
improving and developing community pharmacies as competent and accessible
healthcare facilities for managing minor ailments is essential.
This is the first study to document the practices of Indonesian
community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in managing common ailments.
This study aimed to document the roles of community pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians in managing common ailments, their practices, and their perceived
experiences in delivering these services. This study will provide insights into
current practices for policymakers, health practitioners, and academics and
identify the gaps for improvement in pharmacy services. This study provides a
pathway of how community pharmacy services might be structured in future
practice.
METHOD
This study was approved by Universitas
Sebelas Maret, Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia with approval number
383/III/HREC/2023; and the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) with
approval number B1-002/PC-IAI/Surakarta/IV/2023.
Pharmacist and pharmacy technician
respondents were surveyed during the IAI and PAFI seminars, which they attended
to obtain credits (SKP) necessary for maintaining their competency certificates
or re-registration. These certificates are mandatory for practising in a
community pharmacy and require renewal every five years. The inclusion criteria
for this study were pharmacists and pharmacy technicians practising in a
community pharmacy in Surakarta, Indonesia and attending the IAI and PAFI
seminars. The exclusion criteria included pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
working in a doctor's or skin care clinic.
A sample of approximately 120 community
pharmacists and 120 pharmacy technicians was used to enable statistical
analysis. The questionnaires used in this study were adapted from a previous
study (Mizranita et al., 2021). The questionnaires were distributed on separate
IAI and PAFI seminars in Surakarta, Indonesia. The questionnaires were
distributed at the registration desk prior to each seminar. To maintain
anonymity, participants returned the completed questionnaires at the same
registration desk.
Data analysis was performed using SPSS
version 25.0 software. Years of practice and age groups were dichotomised
according to the distribution of responses and analysed using non-parametric
tests. Descriptive statistics summarises demographics and respondent
characteristics. The age of respondents was categorised based on median values.
Binary logistic regression was used to compare perceptions of managing ailments
between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. In this study, the scope of
common ailments was presented within the pharmacy technician's scope, only
within the pharmacist's scope and beyond the scope of the pharmacist and pharmacy
technician. Data was considered statistically significant if the p-value
<0.05. Px represents data collected from the pharmacist survey, and Tx
represents data collected from the pharmacy technician survey.
RESULT
This study assessed the current practices
of community pharmacies in Indonesia in managing common ailments, focusing on
the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. To our knowledge, this is
the inaugural study that examines the perceptions of Indonesian pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians on their existing pharmacy-based services for managing
common ailments.
In total, 229 pharmacists attended the IAI
seminar; 10 declined participation, leaving 219
questionnaires distributed. Of those distributed, 190 were returned. We exclude
ten incomplete questionnaires. The response rate was 78.6% (180/229). On the
other hand, 214 pharmacy technicians attended the PAFI seminar, and eight
declined to participate, leaving 208 questionnaires distributed. Of those
distributed, 149 were returned. We exclude nine incomplete questionnaires. The
response rate was 67.4% (140/208). This study achieved response rates of 78.6%
for pharmacists and 67.4% for pharmacy technicians, which were higher, thus
minimising the bias.
The demographic profiles of 180 pharmacist
and 140 pharmacy technician respondents are summarised in Table 1. Most
pharmacist and pharmacy technician respondents were female (Px=160/180, 88.9%;
Tx=118/140, 84.3%), under the age of 30 years for pharmacists (89/180, 49.4%),
and under the age of 30 years for pharmacy technicians (125/140, 89.2%). Most
pharmacists held an Apothecary degree (175/180, 97.2%) and a diploma degree
(106/140, 75.7%) for the pharmacy technician respondents.
The demographic data revealed a significant
proportion of female respondents among both pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians. The patterns of pharmacy ownership and types of pharmacies
observed in this study aligned with those reported in earlier research
conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia (Apriansyah,
2017).
Table 1. Demographic profiles of the
respondents Pharmacists (n=180) Pharmacy
Technicians (n=140)
Characteristics |
n (%) |
|
Characteristics |
n (%) |
Gender |
Gender |
|||
Male |
20 (11.1) |
Male |
22 (15.7) |
|
Female |
160 (88.9) |
Female |
118 (84.3) |
|
Age (years) |
Age (years) |
|||
21-30 |
89 (49.4) |
16-20 |
12 (8.5) |
|
31-40 |
76 (42.2) |
21-30 |
113 (80.7) |
|
41->50 |
15 (8.4) |
31->40 |
15 (10.8) |
|
Years of practice |
Years of practice |
|||
<2-5 years |
91 (50.5) |
<2-5 years |
100 (71.4) |
|
6-10 years |
47 (26.1) |
6-10 years |
32 (22.8) |
|
11- >15 years |
42 (23.3) |
11- >15 years |
8 (5.8) |
|
Level of education |
Level of education |
|||
Apothecary Degree |
175 (97.2) |
Pharmacy assistant school |
34 (24.3) |
|
Master's Degree |
5 (2.8) |
Diploma |
106 (75.7) |
|
Received additional remuneration |
Received additional
remuneration |
|||
Yes |
140 (77.8) |
Yes |
125 (89.3) |
|
No |
40 (22.2) |
No |
15 (10.7) |
|
Type of additional
remuneration (n=140) |
Type of additional
remuneration |
|||
Dispensing fees |
15 (8.3) |
Dispensing fees |
23 (16.4) |
|
Consultations fees |
9 (5.0) |
Incentives (pharmacist
only medicines) |
15 (10.7) |
|
Incentives (pharmacist-
only medicines) |
11 (6.1) |
Religious holiday
allowance |
102 (72.9) |
|
Gross turnover profit |
25 (13.9) |
|||
Religious holiday
allowance |
120 (66.7) |
The majority of pharmacists (n=180) and pharmacy technicians (n=140)
reported receiving religious holiday allowances, with pharmacists at 66.7% (120
out of 180) and technicians at 72.9% (102 out of 140). In contrast, only a
small fraction received dispensing fees, at 8.3% (15 out of 180) for
pharmacists and 16.4% (23 out of 140) for technicians. Additionally, incentives
for selling pharmacist-only medicines were reported by 6.1% (11 out of 180) of
pharmacists and 10.7% (15 out of 140) of pharmacy technicians. The
study did not clarify whether the imposition of consultation fees influenced
pharmacists' provision of common ailment services. Several studies showed that
charging a consultation fee is integral to offering professional pharmacy
services and enhances pharmacists' abilities to deliver these services (Cassie et al., 2019; Newlands et al., 2018; Perrot et
al., 2019; Yuswar et al., 2021). Nevertheless, the present study's
findings indicate that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Indonesia
generally opposed consultation fees for these services. According to Rosenthal
et al. (2010), the primary obstacle to delivering professional pharmacy
services lies in the "pharmacists' psyche and culture.” (Rosenthal et al., 2010). Research conducted
in Ethiopia has highlighted various factors affecting pharmacists' consultation
roles, including their attitudes, knowledge, communication skills,
remuneration, pharmacy working environment, and consumer demands (Ayele et al., 2018; Mengistu et al., 2019).
According to Table 2, independent pharmacies represented the largest
share of community pharmacies where the respondents worked, with 62.2% (112 out
of 180) pharmacists and 67.1% (94 out of 140) pharmacy technicians.
Additionally, a majority of pharmacists (60.0%, 108 out of 180) and pharmacy
technicians (64.3%, 90 out of 140) were employed in pharmacies owned by
non-pharmacists.
The weekly number of consumers visiting pharmacies varied from fewer
than 450 to more than 550. Over half of the pharmacists (64.4%, 116 out of 180)
reported that more than 60 weekly consumers sought help for common ailments
(Table 2). Conversely, more than half of the pharmacy technicians (59.3%, 83
out of 140) indicated that they worked in pharmacies with fewer than 450
visitors per week, among which over 60 were seeking advice for common ailments.
Table 3 shows a range of common ailments listed
by the Indonesian Ministry of Health, which may require OTC or pharmacist-only
medicines in a community pharmacy (Directorate
General of Pharmacy and Medical Devices, 2008). Respondent groups were
asked to indicate how they perceived managing each common ailment in a
community pharmacy or if it was beyond the scope of both groups. Out of the 13
ailments surveyed, 11 revealed significant differences in the perceptions of
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, influenced by their respective education
and experience.
Table
2. Pharmacy characteristics of the respondents
Pharmacists (n=180) |
Pharmacy Technicians
(n=140) |
|||
Characteristics |
n (%) |
|
Characteristics |
n (%) |
Type of pharmacy |
Type of pharmacy |
|||
Independent |
112 (62.2) |
Independent |
94 (67.1) |
|
Franchise |
28 (15.5) |
Franchise |
19 (13.6) |
|
Co-located with medical
practice |
40 (22.2) |
Co-located with a
doctor's practice |
27 (19.3) |
|
Pharmacy owner |
Pharmacy owner |
|||
Pharmacist |
72 (40.0) |
Pharmacist |
51 (36.4) |
|
Non-pharmacist |
108 (60.0) |
Non-pharmacist |
89 (63.6) |
|
Room for consultation |
Room for consultation |
|||
Yes |
150 (83.3) |
Yes |
107 (76.4) |
|
No |
30 (16.7) |
No |
33 (23.6) |
|
Average consumers per week |
Average consumers per
week |
|||
<450 |
116 (64.4) |
<450 |
83 (59.3) |
|
451- >550 |
64 (35.6) |
451- >550 |
57 (40.7) |
Common ailments or minor ailments are commonly classified as
non-complicated and may be managed within a community pharmacy setting. Our
findings suggest that pharmacists’ perceived to manage certain ailments was
much broader. There appears to be a disagreement between pharmacists' and
pharmacy technicians' perceptions of their practice and those of each other in
managing common ailments in community pharmacies. This highlights that the
pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ perspectives or attitudes toward a
common ailment may differ. Inadequate training and knowledge among pharmacy
technicians may pose a problem, thus raising safety concerns (Verma et al., 2018). The research found that
discordance was evident where pharmacy technicians' perceptions of their scope
were wider than that ascribed by community pharmacists (Mizranita et al., 2023; Mizranita et al., 2021; Mizranita et al., 2022).
Acute pain was an ailment perceived as limited to a pharmacist's scope.
Ailments such as dandruff, constipation and mild headache were perceived to be
within the scope of a pharmacy technician.
These perceptions underscore
the importance of clear role definitions and training for both groups to ensure
they practice within their competencies and provide optimal patient care. The
significant p-values indicate that these differences are statistically
meaningful and should be considered in policy and training program development.
The varying perspectives of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
highlighted in their survey responses can be attributed to their distinct
scopes of practice, training, and levels of expertise. These trends are
consistent with findings from numerous international studies (Chamberlain et al., 2020; Kellar et al., 2021; Yusuff
et al., 2021). Many individuals might opt to visit a pharmacy rather
than a general practice for ailments such as coughs, hay fever, and minor eye
inflammation or irritation (Jack Charles Collins
& Jane Moles, 2019).
Table 3. Common ailment management based on
perceived experience as reported by the respondents
Pharmacists
(n=180) |
Pharmacy
Technicians (n=140) |
P-value** |
|
n (%) |
|||
Acne |
<0.001* |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
136 (75.6) |
132 (94.3) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
41 (22.7) |
7 (5.0) |
|
Beyond the scope |
3 (1.7) |
1 (0.7) |
|
Acute pain |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
38 (21.1) |
59 (42.1) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
130 (72.2) |
71 (50.7) |
|
Beyond the scope |
12 (6.7) |
10 (7.1) |
|
Constipation |
0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
143 (79.4) |
128 (91.4) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
36 (20.0) |
10 (7.1) |
|
Beyond the scope |
1 (0.6) |
2 (1.5) |
|
Cough and cold symptoms |
0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
139 (77.2) |
127 (90.7) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
41 (22.8) |
11 (7.8) |
|
Beyond the scope |
0 (0.0) |
2 (1.5) |
|
Dandruff |
0.114 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
140 (77.8) |
121 (86.4) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
35 (19.4) |
15 (10.7) |
|
Beyond the scope |
5 (2.8) |
4 (2.9) |
|
Dermatitis |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
44 (24.4) |
82 (58.6) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
134 (74.4) |
51 (36.4) |
|
Beyond the scope |
2 (1.2) |
7 (5.0) |
|
Diarrhoea |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
77 (42.8) |
117 (83.6) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
100 (55.6) |
21 (15.0) |
|
Beyond the scope |
3 (1.6) |
2 (1.4) |
|
Eczema |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
53 (29.4) |
85 (60.7) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
121 (67.2) |
45 (32.1) |
|
Beyond the scope |
6 (3.4) |
10 (7.2) |
|
Indigestion/heartburn |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
36 (20.0) |
68 (48.6) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
134 (74.4) |
60 (42.8) |
|
Beyond the scope |
10 (5.6) |
12 (8.6) |
|
Mild headache |
0.023 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
156 (86.7) |
133 (95.0) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
22 (12.2) |
6 (4.3) |
|
Beyond the scope |
2 (1.1) |
1 (0.7) |
|
Minor burns |
0.008 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
121 (67.2) |
111 (79.3) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
55 (30.6) |
25 (17.9) |
|
Beyond the scope |
4 (2.2) |
4 (2.8) |
|
Wounds |
<0.001 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
68 (37.8) |
87 (62.1) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
104 (57.8) |
38 (27.1) |
|
Beyond the scope |
8 (4.4) |
15 (10.8) |
|
Warts |
0.721 |
||
Pharmacy technician scope |
114 (63.3) |
91 (65.0) |
|
Pharmacist scope |
51 (28.3) |
40 (28.6) |
|
Beyond the scope |
15 (8.4) |
9 (6.4) |
|
Figure 1 shows various
clinical scenarios in which pharmacists were asked to evaluate the likelihood
of referring a patient with common ailments to another healthcare professional
(e.g., doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, etc.). Approximately half of the
pharmacists surveyed hesitated to refer a patient to another healthcare
professional based solely on assessing the patient's signs and symptoms upon
their initial presentation. However, if the patient exhibited recurring
symptoms, more than 63.9% (115 out of 180) of pharmacists indicated a higher
likelihood of referral. Additionally, 75.6% (136 out of 180) of pharmacists
stated they would refer patients to another healthcare professional if their
symptoms had not improved following prior treatment.
The majority of pharmacists fall into the "Sometimes"
and "Rarely" categories, emphasising their role in managing common
ailments independently but recognising the need for referrals in specific
cases. This balance ensures that patients receive appropriate care without
unnecessary referrals. Further, the frequency of referrals may reflect the
training and confidence of pharmacists in managing various health conditions.
Those who refer more frequently might feel less confident in managing certain
ailments or might encounter more complex cases that require specialist
attention. Understanding these referral patterns can help
design continuing education programs for pharmacists, ensuring they have the
necessary skills and confidence to independently manage a broader range of
ailments.
Despite the fact that managing common ailments was a primary activity
for the pharmacist and pharmacy technician respondents in this study, the
majority of them (60.0% of pharmacists, 108 out of 180; and 94.3% of pharmacy
technicians, 132 out of 140) believed that a consultation fee should not be
imposed for minor ailments management beyond the cost of the medication itself
(Table 4).
Consultation Fee
The data from Table 4 reveals
a significant difference in opinion between pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians regarding whether a consultation fee should be charged for common
ailments. Of 180 pharmacists, 40.0% (n=72) believe a consultation fee should be
charged, whereas only 5.7% (n=8 out of 140) of pharmacy technicians share this
view. This suggests that pharmacists, who might have more responsibility and
insight into the value of their professional consultation, are more inclined to
see the necessity of a fee. Conversely, a substantial majority of pharmacy
technicians (94.3%, or 132 out of 140) believe that no consultation fee should
be charged, reflecting perhaps a perspective focused more on accessibility and
the role of the pharmacy as a free resource for common ailments.
Table 4 indicates a clear divergence between
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in their views on charging consultation
fees for common ailments. Pharmacists, more inclined to support a fee, value
the professional service provided, whereas pharmacy technicians prioritise
keeping services free. Both groups, however, largely agree that if a fee is to
be charged, the patient should be the one to pay, though pharmacists also see a
role for government and insurance. This data highlights important
considerations for policymakers and pharmacy management in designing fee
structures and payment responsibilities in the context of consultation services
for common ailments.
Appropriate Fee Range
Among those who support charging a fee, there is
again a difference in opinions on the most appropriate amount. The most common
fee range for pharmacists is 5000-10000 ($0.50 to $1), preferred by 44.1% (34
out of 77) of respondents. This fee range is considered moderate and likely
reflects a balance between compensating professional time and maintaining
patient affordability. Pharmacy technicians who support charging a fee (8
respondents) show varied preferences, but the most favoured fee range is also
5000-10000 ($0.50 to $1), preferred by 37.5% (3 out of 8). Interestingly, 32.5%
(25 out of 77) of pharmacists who support charging a fee believe it should be
less than 5000 (<$0.50), indicating some consideration for keeping the costs
very low. In contrast, a quarter (25%) of the pharmacy technicians also support
a fee of less than 5000 (<$0.50).
Reported by
the pharmacist |
Reported by
the pharmacy technician |
|
n (%) |
||
Do you think a consultation fee should be
charged? |
(n=180) |
(n=140) |
Yes |
72 (40.0) |
8 (5.7) |
No |
108 (60.0) |
132 (94.3) |
The most appropriate fee? |
(n=77) |
(n=8) |
<5000
(< $50c) |
25 (32.5) |
2 (25.0) |
5000-10000 ($50c
- $1) |
34 (44.1) |
3 (37.5) |
11000-15000
($1 – 1.5) |
11 (4.3) |
2 (25.0) |
16000-20000
($1.6 - 2) |
2 (2.6) |
0 (0.0) |
>20000
(> $2) |
5 (6.5) |
1 (12.5) |
Who should pay? |
(n=75) |
(n=8) |
Patient |
48 (64.0) |
6 (75.0) |
Government |
8 (10.6) |
2 (25.0) |
Health
insurance |
14 (18.7) |
0 (0.0) |
Pharmacy
company |
3 (4.0) |
0 (0.0) |
Other |
2 (2.7) |
0
(0.0) |
Responsibility for Payment
When it comes to who should bear the cost of the
consultation fee, the majority opinion among both groups is that the patient
should pay. Specifically, 64% (48 out of 75) of pharmacists and 75% (6 out of
8) of pharmacy technicians hold this view. However, there is a notable
percentage of pharmacists who think that either the government (10.6%, or 8 out
of 75) or health insurance (18.7%, or 14 out of 75) should cover the cost,
reflecting a belief in shared responsibility or an insurance-based model for
covering health expenses. Only a small fraction of pharmacists (4%, or 3 out of
75) believe that the pharmacy company should pay, which might be due to
concerns about financial sustainability. In contrast, pharmacy technicians do
not consider health insurance or pharmacy companies as responsible for the
payment, suggesting a more patient-centric approach or reflecting a different
understanding of funding structures within healthcare. Overall, the data from
this study shows that both professionals play an essential role in managing common
ailments in Indonesian community pharmacies. Thus, the urgency to establish a
clear scope of practice for each professional is needed, and the pharmacy
technicians clearly understand when to refer patients to the pharmacist.
Although pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in Indonesia are qualified
professionals, pharmacists hold higher qualifications and are responsible for
the conduct of the pharmacy; therefore, they should refer to another healthcare
professional based on ailments beyond the scope of their practice.
The main limitation of this study relates to
self-reported perceptions reported by respondents. Data were based on recall,
recollections, and perceptions about managing common ailments in the Indonesian
community pharmacy. Therefore, caution should be applied when generalising the
outcome.
CONCLUSION
This study underscores the importance of clear role definitions and
targeted training for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to enhance the
management of common ailments. These findings align with international trends
and highlight the need for policy and training programs to ensure optimal
patient care in community pharmacies. This study provides the first
comprehensive insight into Indonesian pharmacists' and pharmacy technicians'
perceptions and practices regarding common ailments management, laying the
groundwork for future improvements in community pharmacy services. The scope of
practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in managing common ailments
must be broadly identified. This
pattern underscores the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system and
the need for ongoing support and training to optimise their role in patient
care.
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