Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Exploring the Integration and Impact of Tele pharmacy in Community Pharmacy Practice in South Western Nigeria

Omoniyi Joseph Ola-Olorun {PhD}, Ngozi Augustine Okoronkwo {B.Pharm, MPH), Dasola Ogundoyin (B.Pharm), Osirim, Monday (PhD, FCA)

Abstract

Telepharmacy is a form of pharmaceutical care in which pharmacists render professional services to other people in remote places using information and communication technology (ICT) facilities. The specific objective of this study was to investigate the challenges community pharmacists face in integrating telepharmacy in community pharmacy practice in southwestern Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional survey of 116 out of the 2637 community pharmacists in Southwestern Nigeria. The sample frame comprised all licensed community pharmacists in southwestern Nigeria, from which the respondents were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire through Google Form, with ethical approval obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, medians and weighted averages, with results presented in tables and inferential statistics were used in answering relevant questions at 5% level of significance and 95% confidence interval. The results show that the overall impact of telepharmacy in community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria was moderate (Mdn 4, WA 4.11), a large percentage (90.4%) was familiar with the concept of telepharmacy, with 70.7% currently deploying it for rendering services. Telepharmacy was observed to have significantly improved patient adherence (Mdn 4, WA 4.55) and strengthened pharmacist-patient communication (Mdn 5, WA 4.34). However, despite its benefits, several barriers to full integration were identified, with the most critical identified as a lack of coordination in the healthcare sector (Mdn 4, WA 3.78).

Keywords

Telepharmacycommunity pharmacyICTmedication therapy management

References

Abed, S., Al-Hussain, M., Al-Hussaini, F., Al-Muhaisen, M., Abu-Farha, R., Aleidi, S. M., & Qandil, A. (2022). Exploring the perception and readiness of Pharmacists towards telepharmacy implementation; a cross sectionalcross-sectional analysis. PeerJ, 10, e13296. [https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13296] Abu Farha, R., Gharaibeh, L., Alzoubi, K. H., & Alhamad, H. (2024). Exploring Community Pharmacists' Perception and Readiness Toward Telepharmacy Implementation in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Telemedicine and e-Health, 30(3), 816-824. Ahmed, N. J., Almalki, Z. S., Alsawadi, A. H., Alturki, A. A., Bakarman, A. H., Almuaddi, A. M., ... & Alamer, A. A. (2023). Knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of telepharmacy among community pharmacists. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 31(9), 101713. Ahmed, N., & Saeed, A. (2021). Pharmacists’ knowledge and contribution during coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in Sudan. Matrix Science Medica, 5, 31. Ajala, F. A., Adetunji, A. B., & Akande, N. O. (2015). Telemedicine acceptability in southwestern Nigeria: Its prospects and challenges. International Journal of Advanced Computer Technology, 4(9), 1970–1976. Ameri, A, (2020) Tele-pharmacy: a new opportunity for consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Policy Technology 9(3):281–2. Dalal-Dossari, D. S., Alharbi, F. K., Alharbi, M. H., Alotaibi, S., & Farooq, A. (2024). Impact of telepharmacy during COVID-19 on patients’ outcomes during COVID-19: A systematic literature review. Pharmacy Practice (Granada), 21(4), 1–8. Edwards, P. J., Roberts, I., Clarke, M. J., & others. (2024). Response is increased using postal rather than electronic questionnaires: New results from an updated Cochrane systematic review. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 24(1), 135. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-024-02332-0] FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation). (2022). Global Report on Pediatric Pharmacy Education. https://www.fip.org/file/5217 Grønfeldt, S. T., Nielsen, J. B., & Christensen, A. I. (2020). Going web or staying paper? The use of web-surveys among older people. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20, 191. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01138-0] Horrell, L. N., Hayes, S., Herbert, L. B., et al. (2021). Barriers to and facilitators of online survey research with racial and ethnic minority adults. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(3), e25446. https://doi.org/10.2196/25446 Justice E.O. (2012) E-Healthcare/Telemedicine Readiness Assessment of Some Selected States in Western Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering and Technology 2. 2: 41-47. Khushi (2024). The Impact of Telepharmacy in Rural Healthcare. World Journal Le, T., Toscani, M., & Colaizzi, J. (2020). Telepharmacy: A new paradigm for our profession. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 33(2), 176–182 [https://doi.org/10.1177/0897190018791060] M o u l a e i K, (2022). Survey of the patients' perspectives and preferences in adopting telepharmacy versus in-person visits to the pharmacy: a feasibility study during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Med Inform D e c i s i o n M a k i n g 2 2. 99.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-01834-5 Maneemai, O., Jaroenpiyapat, P., Wongwiwattana, P., & Phatthanasobhon, S. (2024). An evaluation of Thais’ attitude toward Telepharmacy in community pharmacies: A crosssectional survey study. safety, 2(4), 12.Muflih, S. M., Al-Azzam, S., Abuhammad, S., Jaradat, S. K., Karasneh, R., & Shawaqfeh, M. S. (2021). Pharmacists' experience, competence and perception of telepharmacy technology in response to COVID-19. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 75 (7), e14209. [https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14209] Nduka, S. O., Nwaodu, M. A., Nduka, I. J., et al. (2022). Telepharmacy services in a developing country: Nigerian community pharmacists' and patients' perspectives on the clinical benefits, cost, and challenges. Telemedicine and e-Health. Advance online publication. [https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2022.0385] Nelissen, H. E., Cremers, A. L., Okwor, T. J., Kool, S., van Leth, F., Brewster, L., & Dieleman, M. A. (2018). Pharmacy-based hypertension care employing mHealth in Lagos, Nigeria: A mixed methods feasibility study. BMC Health Services Research, 18, 934. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3740-3] Nwachuya, C. A., Umeh, A. U., Ogwurumba, J. C., Chinedu-Eze, I. N., Azubuike, C. C., & Isah, A. (2023). Effectiveness of Telepharmacy in Rural Communities in Africa: A Scoping Review. Journal of Pharmacy Technology, 39(5), 241-250. https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225231190567 Oliorah, P. I., Isah, A., Abonyi, E. E., Eze, S. C., Okonkwo, C. V., & Nnadi, P. C. (2022). The assessment of telepharmacy practice among community pharmacists in Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 56 (2). [https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2022.39] Orizio G, (2021). Quality of online pharmacies and websites selling prescription drugs: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2011-13(3),Pg 74–81. Pinto, A. M. (2022). Telepharmacy services: Present status and future perspectives: A review. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365- 2710.2022.01258.x Poudel, A., & Nissen, L. M. (2016). Telepharmacy: a pharmacist's perspective on the clinical benefits and challenges. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, 5, 75–82. https://doi.org/10.2147/IPRP.S101685 Rogers, H. (2017). A Systematic Review of the Implementation Challenges of Telemedicine Systems in Ambulances. Telemedicine Journal of E-Health, 23(9), 707-717. Seivert, S., & Badowski, M. E. (2020). The rise of telemedicine: Lessons from a global pandemic. EMJ Innovations, 5(1), 64–69. Siddiqui, I. A., Khan, M. S., & Zaidan, M. S. (2021). Telepharmacy during COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 12(3), 253-261. Tegegne, M. D., Wubante, S. M., Melaku, M. S., et al. (2023). Tele-pharmacy perception, knowledge and associated factors among pharmacy students in Northwest Ethiopia: An input for implementers. BMC Medical Education, 23(1), 130. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04111-9] Udoh, A., Awofisayo, O., & Bafor, E. (2019). Consumer and community pharmacists’ perceptions of online pharmacy services in Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria. Innovations in Pharmacy, 10(3).

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Antibacterial Activity of Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia Odorata Against Some Isolates of Wound Among Patients Attending Selected Hospitals in Kano Metropolis

Author: Kamal Abdulkadir Muhammad, Ismaila Ahmed, Lawan Danjuma, Raliya Sulaiman, Dauda, Isah Musa Bebeji, Zubairu Sani Ibrahim, Yahaya Ubah Yau, Binta Kabir, Muhammad, and Mukhtar Aminu Bala, Corresponding author

Prevalence and Prevention of Health Problems Among Inmates in Agodi Gate Correctional Centre, Ibadan

Author: John Betiku, a, Oluwabunmi Hannah Aremo, b, Emmanuel Olusegun Abe, a, Rachael, Omotomilayo Ajayi, c, Adenike Kaosarat Alabi, d, Kelechi Princess John, d, orcid ---