PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alrwisan, Adel A.
AU  - Alshammari, Thamir M.
AU  - Tahir, Khalid W.
AU  - Aleissa, Faisal M.
AU  - Aljadhey, Hisham S.
TI  - Community pharmacists' knowledge of isotretinoin safety
DP  - 2014 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 81--84
VI  - 35
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/1/81.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/1/81.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2014 Jan 01; 35
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the practice and knowledge of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia regarding dispensing isotretinoin-containing products.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 that included community pharmacists from 3 cities in Saudi Arabia. A validated and piloted self-administered survey collected demographics and information on the pharmacist's knowledge regarding isotretinoin precautions, as well as his dispensing, and counseling practices.RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen questionnaires were returned with a 72.5% response rate. Only around half of the participants (56%) knew the correct pregnancy risk classification category for oral isotretinoin. Most participants (78%) correctly identified teratogenicity as the most serious risk associated with the use of oral isotretinoin. However, only 6.2% of the pharmacists recommended using 2 methods of contraception. Almost one-fifth of the pharmacists dispensed isotretinoin without a prescription. Finally, 11% of the pharmacists did not ask whether the patient performed a pregnancy test prior to dispensing oral isotretinoin.CONCLUSION: Pharmacists at community pharmacies are not adequately aware of the risks for female patients using isotretinoin. Additionally, an alarming proportion of pharmacists dispense isotretinoin without a prescription. It is essential to implement risk minimization plans for certain medications to limit and prevent adverse drug reactions.