Counseling Practices of Pharmacists at Medical Stores/Pharmacies in Karachi Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Dispensing medicines means delivering complete knowledge about the medicine being dispensed to that patient. Patient’s counseling regarding their medications play a very important role to achieve the high efficacy and proper constancy on therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the counseling practices of pharmacist from customers’ perspective. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study, conducted among who were selected at random at pharmacies/ medical stores, while purchasing medications for them and/or for their loved ones. The study finally included 365 patients or attendants of the patients. The data obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis through SPPS version 25. Results: 289 (81.37%) patients were counseled when they purchased antibiotics about the completion of the therapy and to take the doses timely. Only 4 patients were told about missing a dose. Conclusion: There were different results of candidates majority of them were satisfied with on-going pharmacy service but some were not. Candidates also told about the lack of information given by the health care professional /pharmacist prior to dispensing.