Ngo Frances Lois U, Gloria Mac Ardy J, Robles Yolanda R
Department of Clinical, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of the Philippines Manila.
Acta Med Philipp. 2025 Jun 30;59(8):16-26. doi: 10.47895/amp.vi0.9520. eCollection 2025.
Community pharmacists play a strategic and indispensable role as healthcare professionals with direct patient access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, there had been no studies that document the challenges, adaptive measures, and opportunities of community pharmacy practice in the country during such period.
This study aimed to describe the challenges encountered and adaptive measures implemented by community pharmacies, and to explore opportunities of community pharmacy practice brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
The study employed a qualitative, cross-sectional study design. Convenience sampling was conducted representative of chain and independent drug stores, online and other stores with service variations, and pharmacy organizations. Recruitment was pursued until data saturation with a total of 16 participants. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo 12. The study received ethical clearance for implementation from the UP Manila Research Ethics Board.
Results showed there were various challenges that affected both the supply- and demandside of pharmacy operations in the community pharmacy practice during the pandemic. Due to the adaptive role of the pharmacy profession during the pandemic, there has been an increased relevance of pharmacists in public health. Furthermore, the pandemic has exhibited the need to shift to the use of e-prescriptions. However, there are limitations to its current use, such as ensuring the validity of the prescription when presented in a pharmacy.
There are several challenges encountered by community pharmacists during the pandemic. These challenges led to several adaptive measures being implemented that also became an opportunity to emphasize the vital role community pharmacists play in the healthcare system.
在新冠疫情期间，社区药剂师作为能直接接触患者的医疗保健专业人员，发挥着战略性且不可或缺的作用。然而，尚无研究记录该国在此期间社区药房实践所面临的挑战、适应性措施及机遇。
本研究旨在描述社区药房所遇到的挑战及实施的适应性措施，并探索新冠疫情给菲律宾社区药房实践带来的机遇。
本研究采用定性的横断面研究设计。通过便利抽样选取具有代表性的连锁药店和独立药店、服务多样的线上及其他店铺以及药房组织。持续招募直至数据饱和，共16名参与者。访谈内容经转录后，使用NVivo 12通过主题分析进行分析。该研究获得了马尼拉大学研究伦理委员会的伦理批准以开展实施。
结果显示，在疫情期间，社区药房实践中存在各种影响药房运营供需双方的挑战。由于疫情期间药学专业的适应性作用，药剂师在公共卫生中的相关性有所增加。此外，疫情凸显了转向使用电子处方的必要性。然而，其当前使用存在局限性，例如在药房出示时确保处方的有效性。
疫情期间社区药剂师遇到了若干挑战。这些挑战促使实施了多项适应性措施，这也成为强调社区药剂师在医疗保健系统中所起重要作用的契机。
