Written by International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2024, 13(1), 18-24.
DOI: 10.5530/ijpcs.2024.13.6
Published: November 2024
Type: Review Article
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Ghorm Allah Abdullah Alghamdi, Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, Ibrahim Alatwi, Hanan Sabet Alanazi, Hamidah Qasim Abushomi
Author(s) affiliations:
Yousef Ahmed Alomi,
BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE Critical care clinical pharmacists, TPN clinical pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.
Ghorm Allah Abdullah Alghamdi,
MD, Family Medicine Consultant, Director, Ministry of Health Branch, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.
Abeer Hussin Almasoudi,
BSc.Pharm, BCPS., Director, Organizational Excellence, Ministry of Health Branch, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.
Ibrahim Alatwi,
Senior Pharmacist, Licensing Management, Ministry of Health, Tabuk Branch, SAUDI ARABIA.
Hanan Sabet Alanazi,
Pharm, MSc. Health Informatics, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.
Hamidah Qasim Abushomi,
BSc.Pharm, MSc. Pharm, Department Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Dammam Health Network, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA.
Abstract
Objectives: This research aims to illuminate the Medication Safety policy in Community pharmacy practice, a crucial new initiative in Saudi Arabia that is paramount to the healthcare system and patient well-being. The significance of this policy cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of patient care. Methods: It was a narrative review of community pharmacy policy and procedures for the medication safety system. Literature searched databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, about specific Medication Safety policies and procedures in Community pharmacy practice. The search period is from the 1960s until October 2021. The term is in English and includes narrative review, systemic review, meta-analysis, and guidelines. All hospital or Community pharmacy services are included in a search term. Besides, the national and international guidelines for general medication safety in hospital practice are also included. The Community Pharmacy Medication Safety Committee, a crucial part of this research, was formulated and consisted of various expert members. This committee, which provides for clinical pharmacists, drug information pharmacists, and clinical Medication Safety specialists, played a significant role in drafting and reviewing the Medication Safety policy. The guidelines of the policy draft by one member and the second member were reviewed and corrected. The medication safety specialist did the third revision. The topic emphasizes the competency of Community Pharmacy Medication Safety policy and procedures. Results: The competency of the Community Pharmacy Medication Safety policy consisted of various items. That includes a medication safety committee, patient safety standards, medication errors reporting system, adverse drug reaction reporting system, and drug quality reporting system. Besides, the ISMP self-assessment of medication safety for ambulatory care and community pharmacy, a tool designed to evaluate and improve medication safety practices, is also needed. Conclusion: The Community Pharmacy Medication Safety policy is not a static initiative but a continuously evolving part of the pharmaceutical care performance. This dynamic nature of the policy reflects the continuous development of pharmacists’ skills in Medication Safety practice and investigational drug services at different places in the public and healthcare organizations. Therefore, the competency of the Medication Safety policy is highly recommended for the Community pharmacy model of New Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia.
Keywords: Medication Safety, Policy, Community pharmacy, Competency, Saudi Arabia.