RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Community pharmacists' knowledge of isotretinoin safety
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 81
OP 84
VO 35
IS 1
A1 Alrwisan, Adel A.
A1 Alshammari, Thamir M.
A1 Tahir, Khalid W.
A1 Aleissa, Faisal M.
A1 Aljadhey, Hisham S.
YR 2014
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/35/1/81.abstract
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.