Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Aksum University, Aksum, Tigray, Ethiopia.
School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Oct 2;20(1):913. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05763-9.
Novel Coronavirus is a global pandemic affecting all walks of life and it significantly changed the health system practices. Pharmacists are at the front line and have long been involved in combating this public health emergency. Therefore, the study was aimed to explore pharmacy preparedness and response to prevent and control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
A qualitative study was conducted in six pharmacies in Aksum, Ethiopia in May, 2020. We conducted six in-depth interviews with purposively selected key informants. Direct observation measures were made to assess the activities made in the medicine retail outlets for the prevention and control of the pandemic. Interview data were audio-recorded, translated and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data and OpenCode version 4.02 software was used to facilitate the data analysis.
The thematic analysis has resulted in seven major themes. Good preparedness measures were undertaken to control and prevent COVID-19. Study informants had good knowledge about the pandemic disease and reported they had used different resource materials to update themselves. Preparing of alcohol-based hand-rub, availing finished sanitizers and alcohol, and advising clients to maintain physical distancing were the major counseling information being delivered to prevent the disease. Some tendencies of irrational drug use and false claims of COVID-19 were observed at the beginning of the pandemic. Interview informants had reported they were working with relevant stakeholders and appropriate patient education and support were given to combat the pandemic.
The study revealed necessary pharmacy services has been rendered to all clients. However, availability of drugs and medical supplies were scarce which negatively affected the optimal delivery of pharmacy services. The government and other responsible bodies should work together to solve such problems and contain the pandemic.
新型冠状病毒是一种全球性的大流行病，影响着各行各业，它极大地改变了卫生系统的实践。药剂师处于前线，长期以来一直参与应对这一公共卫生紧急事件。因此，本研究旨在探讨药房为预防和控制 2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）所做的准备和应对工作。
2020 年 5 月，在埃塞俄比亚阿克苏姆的六家药店进行了一项定性研究。我们对六名精心挑选的主要知情人进行了六次深入访谈。对药店的活动进行了直接观察，以评估其在零售药店开展的针对大流行的预防和控制措施。采访数据被录制下来，翻译成文字并逐字记录。采用主题分析法对数据进行分析，并使用 OpenCode 版本 4.02 软件进行数据分析。
主题分析产生了七个主要主题。为控制和预防 COVID-19 采取了良好的准备措施。研究对象对大流行病有很好的了解，并报告说他们使用了不同的资源材料来更新自己的知识。准备酒精搓手液、提供成品消毒剂和酒精，并建议客户保持身体距离，是预防疾病的主要咨询信息。在大流行的早期，观察到一些不合理用药和虚假声称 COVID-19 的趋势。访谈对象报告说，他们正在与相关利益攸关方合作，并为抗击大流行提供适当的患者教育和支持。
研究表明，已经向所有客户提供了必要的药房服务。然而，药品和医疗用品的供应短缺，这对优化药房服务的提供产生了负面影响。政府和其他负责机构应共同努力解决这些问题，遏制大流行。
