PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES DURING THE PANDEMIC IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN THE R. OF KOSOVO

Session

Pharmaceutical and Natural Sciences

Description

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a new coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease appears to have originated in a seafood market in Wuhan, where wild animals, including marmots, birds, rabbits, bats, and snakes, are traded illegally. Coronaviruses are known to pass from animals to humans, so it is thought that the first people infected with the disease-a group consisting mainly of stall holders from a seafood market-contracted it from contact with animals. This paper aims to see what protective measures have been taken by pharmacists in pharmacies, the psychological state, concerns, and difficulties, as well as the provision of pharmaceutical services during the COVID-19 pandemic by community pharmacists in the Republic of Kosovo.

The research method was a quantitative one. The target group were pharmacists (n = 48) surveyed in the Republic of Kosovo. 83.3% were responsible pharmacists in pharmacies, 68.8% were independent pharmacies, and 10.4% were pharmacies with a large network. 76.6%, or 50 prescriptions per day, were executed. 91.7% noticed that there was an increase in the flow of customers, 35.4% had not had a problem with the supply of drugs, and 36.9% thought that the lack of drugs created big problems. 10.4% were anxious, 47.9% were slightly concerned, 31.3% were able to overcome their anxiety through conversation, and 59.6% asked specific questions to figure out if they were potentially infected with COVID-19 before serving the patient. 63.8% stated that they make sure that the distance is 2 meters, with precautions taken at the pharmacy level 31.9% believe that policies exist, and specific procedures are taken, 25.5% have a protective screen, etc., the precautions taken by the pharmacy 54.1% are very satisfied. The sources of information about COVID-19 have been obtained by 25.5% from electronic sources. 56.3% of pharmacists have dispensed drug groups such as: antibiotics, antivirals, analgesics; 48.9% declare that Favipiravir was prescribed from the group of antivirals; 57.4% were prescribed cephalosporins; 47.8% dispensed dexamethasone; 10.9% were not recommended for COVID-19; 66.7% dispensed all supplements; and 93.8% state that more antibiotics have been dispensed during COVID-19 than before COVID-19.

Keywords:

COVID-19, protective measures and pharmaceutical services.

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-95-6

Location

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Start Date

28-10-2023 8:00 AM

End Date

29-10-2023 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2023.116

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Oct 28th, 8:00 AM Oct 29th, 6:00 PM

PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES DURING THE PANDEMIC IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN THE R. OF KOSOVO

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a new coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease appears to have originated in a seafood market in Wuhan, where wild animals, including marmots, birds, rabbits, bats, and snakes, are traded illegally. Coronaviruses are known to pass from animals to humans, so it is thought that the first people infected with the disease-a group consisting mainly of stall holders from a seafood market-contracted it from contact with animals. This paper aims to see what protective measures have been taken by pharmacists in pharmacies, the psychological state, concerns, and difficulties, as well as the provision of pharmaceutical services during the COVID-19 pandemic by community pharmacists in the Republic of Kosovo.

The research method was a quantitative one. The target group were pharmacists (n = 48) surveyed in the Republic of Kosovo. 83.3% were responsible pharmacists in pharmacies, 68.8% were independent pharmacies, and 10.4% were pharmacies with a large network. 76.6%, or 50 prescriptions per day, were executed. 91.7% noticed that there was an increase in the flow of customers, 35.4% had not had a problem with the supply of drugs, and 36.9% thought that the lack of drugs created big problems. 10.4% were anxious, 47.9% were slightly concerned, 31.3% were able to overcome their anxiety through conversation, and 59.6% asked specific questions to figure out if they were potentially infected with COVID-19 before serving the patient. 63.8% stated that they make sure that the distance is 2 meters, with precautions taken at the pharmacy level 31.9% believe that policies exist, and specific procedures are taken, 25.5% have a protective screen, etc., the precautions taken by the pharmacy 54.1% are very satisfied. The sources of information about COVID-19 have been obtained by 25.5% from electronic sources. 56.3% of pharmacists have dispensed drug groups such as: antibiotics, antivirals, analgesics; 48.9% declare that Favipiravir was prescribed from the group of antivirals; 57.4% were prescribed cephalosporins; 47.8% dispensed dexamethasone; 10.9% were not recommended for COVID-19; 66.7% dispensed all supplements; and 93.8% state that more antibiotics have been dispensed during COVID-19 than before COVID-19.