30DEC

Libyan International Conference for Health Sciences

The First Libyan International Conference for Health Sciences (2024): Open University, Tripoli, Libya
Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
https://app.periodikos.com.br/journal/medjpps/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo.14695845

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Original article

Assessing the readiness of community pharmacists in Libya for vaccine administration: Barriers and opportunities

Sara T. Taeb, Mariam M. Alamory, Zekra M. Alamamy , Sarah Sabry Hashem Nafae

Downloads: 1
Views: 112

Abstract

Vaccination effectively reduces morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Several countries allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, and community pharmacists are considered as accessible providers of these services. In Libya, however, pharmacists lack the authority to administer vaccines, unlike their counterparts elsewhere. Involving pharmacists in vaccination efforts could enhance the healthcare system. This observational study aimed to evaluate the readiness and willingness of community pharmacists, supported by pharmacy technicians, to provide vaccination services and to identify barriers and supportive factors for implementation in Libya. A descriptive, self-administered online questionnaire was distributed via social media, specifically in pharmacy-focused closed groups. Participants were recruited from various community pharmacies in Tripoli, Libya. The questionnaire was completed by 130 respondents. Most respondents (88.0%) recognized the important role of the community pharmacist in advertising and promotion of vaccination and 79.0% recognized the accessibility of community pharmacies. Major barriers included a lack of training (85.0%) and increased workloads (75.0%). Cooperation between pharmacists and health professionals and support of medical and nursing associations were highlighted, with 93.0% of respondents agreeing on the importance of these initiatives, followed by the need for improved education and ongoing training workshops on vaccination administration (92.0%). In conclusion, most respondents expressed readiness to initiate pharmacy-based vaccination services. Those willing to participate are open to the necessary training and believe that vaccinations in community pharmacies would be safe. To enhance pharmacists' readiness for vaccination services, regulators must emphasize the significance of training and its impact on patient safety and satisfaction. Appropriate laws and regulations are also essential to support the development of community pharmacy services.

Keywords

Libya, pharmacy practice, public health, readiness, vaccination services, willingness 

References

  1. Mohiuddin AK (2020) The excellence of pharmacy practice. Innovations in Pharmacy. 11 (1): 10.24926/iip.v11i1. 1662. doi: 10.24926/iip.v11i1.1662
  2. Ilardo ML, Speciale A (2020) The community pharmacist: perceived barriers and patient-centered care communication. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (2): 536. doi: 10.3390/ ijerph17020536
  3. Kuntz JL, Safford MM, Singh JA, Phansalkar S, Slight SP, Her QL, Lapointe NA, Mathews R, O'Brien E, Brinkman WB, Hommel K, Farmer KC, Klinger E, Maniam N, Sobko HJ, Bailey SC, Cho I, Rumptz MH, Vandermeer ML, Hornbrook MC (2014) Patient-centered interventions to improve medication management and adherence: a qualitative review of research findings. Patient Education and Counseling. 97 (3): 310-326. doi: 10.1016/j.pec. 2014.08.021
  4. Carter BL (2016) Evolution of clinical pharmacy in the USA and future directions for patient care. Drugs and Aging. 33 (3): 169-177. doi: 10.1007/s40266-016-0349-2
  5. Abduelkarem A (2014) Extending the role of pharmacists in patient care: Are pharmacists in developing nations ready to change? Pharmacology & Pharmacy. 5 (9): 865-875. doi: 10.4236/pp.2014.59097
  6. Chong JBK, Yap CYH, Tan SLL, Thong XR, Fang Y, Smith HE (2023) General practitioners' perceptions of the roles of community pharmacists and their willingness to collaborate with pharmacists in primary care. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice. 16 (1): 114. doi: 10.1186/s40545-023-00613-5
  7. Elliott L, McBride TD, Allen P, Jacob RR, Jones E, Kerner J, Kerner J, Brownson RC (2014) Health care system collaboration to address chronic diseases: a nationwide snapshot from state public health practitioners. Preventing Chronic Disease. 11: E152. doi: 10.5888/pcd11.140075
  8. Eldooma I, Maatoug M, Yousif M (2023) Outcomes of pharmacist-led pharmaceutical care interventions within community pharmacies: Narrative review. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice. 12: 113-126. doi: 10.2147/iprp.s408340
  9. Ghattas M, Dwivedi G, Lavertu M, Alameh MG (2021) Vaccine technologies and platforms for infectious diseases: Current progress, challenges, and opportunities. Vaccines. 9 (12): 1490. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9121490
  10. Carter A, Msemburi W, Sim SY, Gaythorpe KAM, Lambach P, Lindstrand A, Hutubessy R (2024) Modeling the impact of vaccination for the immunization Agenda 2030: Deaths averted due to vaccination against 14 pathogens in 194 countries from 2021 to 2030. Vaccine. 42 (Supp 1): S28-S37. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.07.033
  11. Mohseni Afshar Z, Barary M, Hosseinzadeh R, Karim B, Ebrahimpour S, Nazary K, Sio TT, Sullman MJM, Carson-Chahhoud K, Moudi E, Babazadeh A (2022) COVID-19 vaccination challenges: A mini-review. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. 18 (5): 2066425. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2066425
  12. Chadi A, Thirion DJG, David PM (2023) Vaccine promotion strategies in community pharmacy addressing vulnerable populations: a scoping review. BMC Public Health. 23 (1): 1855. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16601-y
  13. Thomas D, Abdalla A, Hussein S, Joury J, Elshamy A, Khalifa S, Ziad S (2023) Pharmacists' readiness and willingness to vaccinate the public in United Arab Emirates community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study. F1000Research. 12: 292. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.131153.2
  14. Meraya AM, Syed MH, Shabi AA, Madkhali HA, Yatimi YA, Khobrani KY, Mubarki YA, Khardali A, Thaibah H, Yasmeen A (2024) Assessment of community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes and their willingness to provide vaccination services in Saudi Arabia. PLOS one. 19 (5): e0304287. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304287
  15. Alnahar SA, Gkountouras G, Darwish RM, Bates I (2022) Community pharmacists' workforce readiness to deliver vaccination services: A cross-sectional study from Jordan. Pharmacology Research and Perspectives. 10 (2): e00943. doi: 10.1002/prp2.943
  16. Balkhi B, Aljadhey H, Mahmoud MA, Alrasheed M, Pont LG, Mekonnen AB, Alhawassi TM (2018) Readiness and willingness to provide immunization services: a survey of community pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Safety in Health. 4 (1): 1. doi: 10.1186/s40886-018-0068-y
  17. Merks P, Religioni U, Bilmin K, Lewicki J, Jakubowska M, Waksmundzka-Walczuk A, Czerw A, Barańska A, Bogusz J, Plagens-Rotman K, Świetlik D, Drelich E, Świeczkowski D, Lambert J, Jaguszewski M, Juszczyk G, Balkhi B, Vaillancourt R (2021) Readiness and willingness to provide immunization services after pilot vaccination training: A survey among community pharmacists trained and not trained in immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (2): 599. doi: 10.3390 /ijerph18020599
  18. Ang WC, Fadzil MS, Ishak FN, Adenan NN, Nik Mohamed MH (2022) Readiness and willingness of Malaysian community pharmacists in providing vaccination services. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice. 15 (1): 81. doi: 10.1186/s40545-022-00478-0
  19. Alrasheedy AA, Alharbi AT, Alturaifi HA, Alkhamis RA, Almazyad RS, Almozaini SS, Godman B, Meyer JC (2024) Community pharmacists’ knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers toward vaccination services at community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia: Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. 20 (1): 1-13. 2414551. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2414551
  20. Bartsch SM, Taitel MS, DePasse JV, Cox SN, Smith-Ray RL, Wedlock P, Singh TG, Carr S, Siegmund SS, Lee BY (2018) Epidemiologic and economic impact of pharmacies as vaccination locations during an influenza epidemic. Vaccine. 36 (46): 7054-7063. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.040
  21. Schwerzmann J, Graitcer SB, Jester B, Krahl D, Jernigan D, Bridges CB, Miller J (2017) Evaluating the impact of pharmacies on pandemic influenza vaccine administration. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 11 (5): 587-593. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2017.1
  22. Kirkdale CL, Nebout G, Megerlin F, Thornley T (2017) Benefits of pharmacist-led flu vaccination services in community pharmacy. Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises. 75 (1): 3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pharma.2016. 08.005
  23. Carroll JC, Herbert SMC, Nguyen TQ, Schork CJ, Kampas LN, Rebitch CB (2024) Vaccination equity and the role of community pharmacy in the United States: A qualitative study. Vaccine. 42 (3): 564-572. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine. 2023.12.063
  24. Costa F, Bates I, Rosado H, Bruno A, Horta M (2016) An overview of current pharmacy impact on immunization. A global Report. 1-119. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Andries Bickerweg 5 2517 JP, The Hague The Netherlands.
  25. Alssageer MA, Hassan AO, Rajab MO (2021) Consumers' view, expectation and satisfaction with community pharmacy services. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1 (4): 90-98. doi: 10.5281/ zenodo.5806191
  26. Elfituri AA, Sherif FM (2022) Novel clinical pharmacy practice: Extended role and improved competencies. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2 (1): 1-3. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.6397651

Submitted date:
11/07/2024

Reviewed date:
01/06/2025

Accepted date:
01/16/2025

Publication date:
01/20/2025

678df221a953954ea2722d84 medjpps Articles
Links & Downloads

Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci

Share this page
Page Sections