A Qualitative Study Exploring the Management of Medicine Shortages in the Community Pharmacy of Pakistan

Sumaira Omer, Salamat Ali, Sundus Shukar, Ali Hassan Gillani, Yu Fang and Caijun Yang
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Sumaira Omer: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Salamat Ali: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Sundus Shukar: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Ali Hassan Gillani: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Yu Fang: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Caijun Yang: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: Managing medicine shortages consumes ample time of pharmacists worldwide. This study aimed to explore the strategies and resources being utilized by community pharmacists to tackle a typical shortage problem. Qualitative face-to-face interviews were conducted. A total of 31 community pharmacists from three cities (Lahore, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan) in Pakistan were sampled, using a purposive approach. All interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five broad themes and eighteen subthemes. The themes highlighted (1) the current scenarios of medicine shortages in a community setting, (2) barriers encountered during the shortage management, (3) impacts, (4) corrective actions performed for handling shortages and (4) future interventions. Participants reported that medicine shortages were frequent. Unethical activities such as black marketing, stockpiling, bias distribution and bulk purchasing were the main barriers. With respect to managing shortages, maintaining inventories was the most common proactive approach, while the recommendation of alternative drugs to patients was the most common counteractive approach. Based on the findings, management strategies for current shortages in community pharmacies are insufficient. Shortages would continue unless potential barriers are addressed through proper monitoring of the sale and consumption of drugs, fair distribution, early communication, and collaboration.

Keywords: qualitative interviews; essential medicines; shortages; community setting; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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