Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, University Rd, Kampala, 10218, Uganda.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Sep 16;24(1):1069. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11537-4.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for remote healthcare services delivery, including remote access to medications. This study explored the practices and challenges associated with remote provision of pharmaceutical products and services in Kampala, Uganda.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2022, enrolling 174 out of 198 sampled retail pharmacies. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire on remote service provision, platforms used, products offered, delivery methods, and challenges faced.
Over 58% of pharmacies provided remote services, primarily through social media (especially WhatsApp) and phone calls. OTCs and POMs were the most commonly dispensed products remotely. Key challenges identified included high internet costs, labor shortages, poor internet quality, and a lack of specific regulations for remote provision of pharmaceutical products and services.
The proportion of retail pharmacies providing pharmaceutical products and services remotely is significant in Kampala, but they face challenges that need to be addressed. Regulations are crucial to ensure responsible dispensing practices and rational medicine use. Addressing internet affordability and quality, staffing issues, and delivery logistics is essential for sustainable and effective remote pharmaceutical products and services.
COVID-19 大流行显著增加了远程医疗服务的需求，包括远程获取药物。本研究探讨了在乌干达坎帕拉远程提供药品和服务的实践和挑战。
2022 年 7 月至 9 月期间进行了一项横断面研究，对 198 家抽样零售药店中的 174 家进行了调查。使用预先测试的远程服务提供、使用的平台、提供的产品、交付方法和面临的挑战的调查问卷收集数据。
超过 58%的药店提供远程服务，主要通过社交媒体（尤其是 WhatsApp）和电话进行。非处方药和处方药物是最常远程配药的产品。确定的主要挑战包括互联网成本高、劳动力短缺、网络质量差以及缺乏远程提供药品和服务的具体法规。
在坎帕拉，提供远程药品和服务的零售药店比例很高，但他们面临着需要解决的挑战。法规对于确保负责任的配药实践和合理用药至关重要。解决互联网可负担性和质量、人员配备问题以及交付物流问题对于可持续和有效的远程药品和服务至关重要。
