The Quality of Pharmacy Practice Among Dispensers in Private Pharmacies: A Case Study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

V Mugoyela; S Ally

V Mugoyela Faculty of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. 0. Box 650 13, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
S Ally Faculty of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. 0. Box 650 13, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Keywords: Pharmacy practice, dispensers, pharmaceutical services, private pharmacies

Abstract

The quality of pharmacy practice provided by dispensers in private pharmacies was
studied. Parameters used include levels of education of the dispensers, access to health
information, knowledge and practice regarding dispensing of drugs to patients, and disposal
of expired drugs. A total of 150 dispensers selected from 150 pharmacies participated in the
study. Data was collected by interviewing the dispensers through structured questionnaires
and observations. Regarding the levels of education of the respondents, the study revealed
that 26.7 % had neither pharmaceutical nor medical education and that only 25.3 % of the
respondents had regular access to health information. However, results showed that 75 %
of all pharmacists interviewed were knowledgeable about good practice regarding
dispensing of drugs to patients. Further, the results revealed that 92.7 % of the pharmacies
had their drugs arranged on the shelves according to pharmacological classification. Results
on assessment of knowleclge about disposing of expired drugs showed 66.7% of the
respondents were not knowledgeable. It is concluded that, there is a need for training of
dispensers on good pharmacy practice 'through continuing education in order to achieve
quality pharmaceutical services in private pharmacies.