PHARMACISTS' ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ABOUT DRUG
DISPENSING IN ROMANIA
MAGDALENA IORGA1, LASZLO-ZOLTAN SZTANKOVSZKY1*, CAMELIA SOPONARU2, IOANNIS GARDIKIOTIS1
1“Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine and
Interdisciplinarity, Iasi, Romania
2“Al. I. Cuza” University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Iasi, Romania
*corresponding author: sztankovszky@yahoo.com
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Abstract:
The promotion, prescription and dispensing of drugs are influenced by a series of factors and attempts to face dilemmas often
distance companies, physicians or pharmacists from patients, those who are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of
healthcare services. The purpose of the study was to identify pharmacists' practices regarding drug dispensing. A number of
72 pharmacists from independent pharmacies have answered a survey about practices of drug dispensing to patients.
Variables like age, work environment (urban, rural), length of employment have been taken into consideration. Results
pointed out that a total of 98.61% of pharmacists counsel patients on alternatives in what concerns brand names. 96.87%
declare that their relationship with the healthcare representative is an important criterion in the dispensing of a particular RX
drug, while the relationship with the doctor is important for over 75% of pharmacists. In what concerns continuing education
and training, over 60% of those surveyed bear the expenses of their trainings. Over 75% consider the patient's financial
contribution when dispensing a drug. In conclusion, drug dispensing by pharmacists is influenced by a series of factors
including healthcare policies, the relationship with the medical representative, or a desire for profitability.

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