European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

"A BASIS FOR PHARMACY INTERVENTION PRACTICE: AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHARMACIST-ONLY OTC MEDICINES IN CHAIN DRUGSTORES WITHIN DISTRICTS 2 AND 4 OF QUEZON CITY”

Mar Agaustin Iverson S. Punzal, Claire S. Gemora, Thaila Yzabelle J. Guido, Kimberly Ann P. Ilagan, Ian Alfred S. Lopez, Earl Andrew B. Meguiso, Mylene S. Andal RPh, and Ana Marie L. Rubenicia, RPh

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The government’s implementation on the R.A. 9502 also known as the “Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008” made drugs cheaper and convenient to purchase, which brought about many desirable and certain undesirable outcomes. Years after, the government enacted a new law known as the .RA. 10918 or the “Philippine Pharmacy Act”. Within the scope of this law includes a new drug classification termed as the Pharmacists-only OTC Medicines (POMs). Methods: The respondents were chosen through the probability stratified random sampling method. A Self-administered web-based survey interview questionnaire was used as the primary research instrument of the study. The statistical analysis method used was descriptive statistics. Results: Majority of the community pharmacists are aware of the Republic Act No. 10918, with it having been represented by questions 1 (95.2%), 2 (95.0%), and 5 (94.4%). Moreover, They are also aware of POMs and that there are other classifications of drugs other than the traditional prescription and OTC medicines represented by questions 3 (87.2) and 4 (85.6%). The combined results for the respondent’s knowledge on POMs and non-POMs is 59.4%. The majority of the respondents’ answers on attitude strongly agree. Most of their given statements on the interview question about POMs are also complimentary. Discussion: Most of the respondents are aware about POMs and its implementation in the Philippines. It was also found out that they have a poor knowledge level on drugs classified under POMs. Lastly, the data obtained from the respondents expresses their positive attitude towards POMs and its implementation.

Keywords: R.A. 9502; R.A. 10918; Pharmacists-only OTC Medicines (POMs); Community Pharmacist; Prescription medicines; OTC medicines.