Romanian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

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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

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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.