ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN THE USE OF ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Merita DAUTI, Sihana AHMETI-LIKA, Gjylai ALIJA, Lulzime BALLAZHI, Edita ALILI-IDRIZI, Arlinda HAXHIU-ZAJMI, Drita YZEIRI-HAVZIU
Abstract
The professional competences of community pharmacists are constantly developing, which is a result of the development of pharmaceutical technology, leading to the creation of complex drug formulations, which in their turn require new knowledge about their appropriate use to attain the desired therapeutic effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of community pharmacists about modified-release formulations of drugs and advanced drug delivery systems, such as transdermal systems, inhalation systems, and modern pediatric formulations.
The research was conducted on 214 community pharmacists using a structured questionnaire. The total level of knowledge was 73.3%, which can be described as moderate to good. The highest level of knowledge was for modified-release formulations (MR) (78.6%), whereas for drug delivery systems (DDS) (69.1%), transdermal systems (66.8%), and inhalation systems (64.5%), the level of knowledge was moderate. The lowest level of knowledge was for modern pediatric formulations (58.3%).
The results of this study have shown that pharmacists have a relatively good level of knowledge of conventional products, but there is a need to increase their knowledge of more advanced products and overcome the difficulties of practical application. It may be concluded from this study that there is a need for more specific education in the field of advanced technological systems, focusing on the quality of service provision and pharmaceutical counseling of patients.
Pages: 116 - 125