Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Care Services and the Role of Community Pharmacists: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Dawit Kumilachew Yimenu; Chilot Abiyu Demeke; Asmamaw Emagn Kasahun; Ebrahim Abdela Siraj; Adane Yehualaw Wendalem; Zegaye Agmassie Bazezew; Abebe Basazn Mekuria

doi:10.1177/23779608211025804

Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Care Services and the Role of Community Pharmacists: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

SAGE Open Nurs. 2021 Jun 22:7:23779608211025804. doi: 10.1177/23779608211025804. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Dawit Kumilachew Yimenu¹, Chilot Abiyu Demeke¹, Asmamaw Emagn Kasahun¹, Ebrahim Abdela Siraj², Adane Yehualaw Wendalem³, Zegaye Agmassie Bazezew⁴, Abebe Basazn Mekuria⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
² Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the impact of COVID-19 on pharmaceutical care services and the role of community pharmacists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1st to June 7, 2020, on community pharmacies in Bahir Dar and Gondar cities, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were conducted. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance at a 95% Confidence interval (CI).

Results: A total of 101 community pharmacies were approached (one pharmacist per pharmacy), and 80 of them had completed the survey. From the total pharmacies, 78.8% of them had encountered a shortage of pharmaceutical products. Chi-square test revealed that there was a significant difference (P = 0.036) in the shortage of personal protection equipment between Gondar and Bahir Dar cities. Face mask 55 (77.4%) followed by hand glove 15 (21.1%) were the most commonly reported personal protective equipment's in short supply.

Conclusion: Strategies should be in place to improve the availability and affordability of various essential pharmaceuticals to mitigate the spread of the disease and prevent other complications.

Keywords: COVID-19; Ethiopia; community pharmacy; pandemic; pharmaceutical care.