Role of the hospital pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic in the RN Macedonia
Hospital pharmacists played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with healthcare professionals such as nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists. They contributed to managing COVID-19 treatment protocols, ensuring adequate medication supply, and addressing shortages of e...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University Ss Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Faculty of Pharmacy and Macedonian Pharmaceutical Association
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Makedonsko Farmacevtski Bilten |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://bulletin.mfd.org.mk/volumes/Volume%2070_1/70_1_008.pdf |
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| Summary: | Hospital pharmacists played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with healthcare professionals such as nurses,
physicians, and respiratory therapists. They contributed to managing COVID-19 treatment protocols, ensuring adequate medication supply,
and addressing shortages of essential drugs, medical devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) by implementing conservation
strategies and sourcing alternatives. A questionnaire-based study was conducted among hospital pharmacists in North Macedonia in July
2022, involving pharmacists and pharmacy technicians of various ages and experience levels from five cities, with 95.8% of respondents
being female. The results highlighted the pharmacists' knowledge of COVID-19 strains, disinfectants, and current therapeutic options. The
study revealed that 37.5% of participants always, 20.8% frequently, and 29.2% occasionally felt depressed or fatigued during the pandemic,
though 83% never considered leaving their jobs. The survey found that 87.5% of pharmacists experienced shortages of masks, gloves, and
disinfectants early in the pandemic, and 100% noted the increased cost of these supplies. Only 22.7% were not consulted for therapy advice
for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Opinions varied on the use of off-label drugs, and pharmacists played a key role in pharmacovigilance
practices, with 36.4% reporting adverse events. The study confirmed the vital role of hospital in promoting of rational antibiotic use and
antimicrobial resistance programs.
This study was the first study conducted after the pandemics and have confirmed the pivotal role of hospital pharmacists in this period
in the RN Macedonia. |
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| ISSN: | 1857-8969 |