ABSTRACT

Preventive and control measures implemented by many countries to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 may negatively impact medication and chronic disease management, which can interfere with achieving patients’ therapeutic goals. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on these aspects, while exploring the role of community pharmacists. A cross-sectional study was conducted via a web-based questionnaire that targeted individuals who suffer from chronic diseases in Jordan. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling and were asked to self-report their ability to access medication, and the perceived role of community pharmacists. Among the 431 participants, the mean age ± SD (years) was 53.8 ± 13.7 and 60.1% (n= 259) were females. Participants mainly reported difficulties in accessing medication (n=198, 45.9%), reduced supplies or unavailability of medications (n=213, 49.4%), nonadherence to medications due to lack of access (n=98, 22.7%) and high costs (n=85, 19.7%). Participants avoided follow-ups due to a fear of infection (n=367, 82.5%) or prolonged waiting time in clinics (n=322, 74.7%). An increased reliance on the community pharmacy for medical advice was reported by 39.9% (n=172) of the participants, with half of them (n=217, 50.3%) depending on the pharmacists for advice regarding over-the-counter medications and COVID-19-related information (n=119, 27.6%). There is an urgent need to involve community pharmacists in medication and chronic disease management with a focus on patient adherence to ensure the optimal management of such vulnerable patient groups. Future studies to assess the effect of pharmacists’ contributions towards enhancing medication/disease management are warranted.

摘要

许多国家为减轻 COVID-19 传播而实施的预防和控制措施可能会对药物和慢性病管理产生负面影响，从而干扰患者实现治疗目标。本研究旨在评估 COVID-19 封锁对这些方面的影响，同时探索社区药剂师的作用。一项横断面研究是通过基于网络的问卷调查进行的，该问卷针对约旦患有慢性病的个人。参与者通过便利抽样招募，并被要求自我报告他们获得药物的能力，以及社区药剂师的感知角色。在 431 名参与者中，平均年龄 ± SD（岁）为 53.8 ± 13.7，其中 60.1%（n=259）为女性。参与者主要报告难以获得药物（n = 198, 45.9%），药物供应减少或无法获得（n=213, 49.4%），由于无法获得药物而不依从性（n=98, 22.7%）和高成本（n=85, 19.7%）。由于害怕感染（n=367, 82.5%）或在诊所等待时间过长（n=322, 74.7%），参与者避免了随访。39.9% (n=172) 的参与者报告对社区药房的医疗建议的依赖增加，其中一半 (n=217, 50.3%) 依赖药剂师就非处方药和COVID-19 相关信息 (n=119, 27.6%)。迫切需要让社区药剂师参与药物治疗和慢性病管理，重点关注患者的依从性，以确保对这些弱势患者群体进行最佳管理。