South Africa is currently grappling with amendments to a number of laws relating to the supply of drugs. One of these amendments removes the requirement that only a pharmacist may own an interest in a retail pharmacy. While this may be opposed by retail pharmacists, the question is really: Will this measure benefit consumers by improving the access to drugs by bringing to this sector a measure of competition and hence reduced prices or will this measure reduce the quality of pharmaceutical care for consumers due to a lack of a relationship based on trust? The emergence of brands such as HealthPharm (Pick 'n Pay), Purchase Milton & Associates- PM&A (New Clicks), and the Checkers (Shoprite Group of Companies) are becoming increasingly popular among consumers (Andy Gray, 1997). This study investigates the impact of these changes on the consumer receiving affordable quality pharmaceutical care. It aims to establish a relationship between consumers and their pharmacist that is based on trust. Quantitative analysis of consumers and pharmacists revealed that there is a relationship based on trust between these parties. Statistical analysis of these samples also reveal a consumer trend suggesting that consumers and pharmacists require a relationship based on trust to achieve the goals of pharmaceutical care. Open ownership of pharmacies will not provide the consumer with an opportunity to develop this relationship with their pharmacist and thus reduce the quality of pharmaceutical care received. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Performance Management aims to develop the employee and ensure that the work which the employee does is in line with organisational goals. However, many managers and employees do not like performance management systems and very often, for this reason, such a system does not succeed in meeting the organisation’s goals. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions towards the performance management system of pharmacists working in the public sector. A questionnaire was compiled and pharmacists working in all public sector hospitals, provincial and municipal clinics and medical depots were asked to complete the questionnaire. The response rate was 66 percent. Seventy three percent of respondents had never undergone a performance evaluation, 75 percent stated it did not motivate them, 62.5 percent felt it did not improve poor performance, 90.6 percent felt the Performance Appraisal System did not reward good performance sufficiently and 63.6 percent felt it did not help with career progression. Seventy eight percent believed that the Performance Appraisal System did not effectively measure the pharmacists’ performance, and 82 percent felt that the System needed to be developed further. At least four evaluations should have been completed per year, yet 85 percent of respondents had experienced three or fewer evaluations since the System had been introduced. The analysis of the responses indicated that there was great dissatisfaction with the current performance management system. A few of the reasons are that the system in place did not effectively measure the pharmacists performance, that additional work done was not recognised, and that the process was extremely time-consuming. It may be concluded that the government needs to address the current problems being experienced with this system, as at present, it is not meeting the objectives it was intended to meet.

Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: A follow-up analysis of academic and training requirements found in advertisements for pharmacy management, assistant director, and clinical pharmacy director positions. Methods: Advertisements appearing in the American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (AJHP) were analyzed for academic and training criteria that were either preferred or required for pharmacy management, assistant director, or clinical pharmacy director positions. Included advertisements were for pertinent positions found in AJHP between January 2002 and December 2007. Some of the requirements or preferences that appeared in the advertisements that were analyzed included the type of pharmacy or other degree, postgraduate training including residencies and/or fellowships, board certification, and experience qualifications. Results: There was a total of 426 advertisements that met inclusion criteria. Results were listed in percentages of advertisements either requiring or preferring a certain qualification. A significant portion of ads sought applicants who had completed a residency (24% - pharmacy manager/director, 50% - clinical director, 47% - assistant/associate manager). Preferences and requirements of the PharmD or MS degree qualification decreased in percent from a previous study. However there was an increase in the relative number of ads pertaining to the MBA preference (9%, n=27). Conclusions: Many of the results from this study were similar to previous studies which looked at job qualifications in pharmacy manager and clinical directors. It remains evident that education, training, and experience play a major role in meeting the qualifications associated with obtaining a job as a pharmacy manager, clinical director, or associate director.

Significant out-of-pocket spending to afford medications to control blood glucose in elderly people with diabetes is one of the chief challenges to medication adherence. In an effort to reduce the financial burden of prescription drugs on the elderly, Medicare Part D was created and went into effect in 2006. However, one in four Medicare Part D beneficiaries experiences a coverage gap where they must pay 100% of total prescription drug costs. Approximately a quarter of those individuals discontinued their drugs when they reached the coverage gap. Currently, with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, the coverage gap will be eliminated by 2020. This dissertation examines which factors affect medication adherence in adults with diabetes (Aim 1) and whether the recent policy effort of Medicare Part D effectively decreases the financial burden of prescription drugs on the elderly with diabetes (Aim 2). Chapter One provides the significance of out-of-pocket costs for medication adherence in elderly individuals with diabetes as well as background information on Medicare Part D and its coverage gap. Chapter Two reviews the literature to synthesize current knowledge that has informed the methodology for this dissertation. This chapter also identifies gaps in this body of work. These include comparing advantages and disadvantages of medication adherence as measured by patient self-report, pharmacy refills, and electronic lids on medication containers. Two systematic reviews are conducted in order to determine the most commonly used measurements and definitions of medication adherence measured by pharmacy claims data, and to identify barriers to and facilitators of medication adherence among adult diabetes patients. Lastly, previous studies that focused on the impact of Medicare Part D and its coverage gap on out-of-pocket pharmacy costs and medication adherence are reviewed. Chapter Three describes the methodologies to address Aims 1 and 2 including the study design, information on the data source, sample descriptions, a conceptual framework, study variables and analytic plans. Chapter Four presents key findings of this study, and Chapter Five concludes with summaries and interpretations of the findings, implications for practice and policy, and recommendations for future research.

This study used the Andersen Model for Health Services Utilization to examine a pharmacist-provided telephone MTM program among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Predisposing (age, gender, race) and need factors (number of medications, number of chronic diseases, medication regimen complexity) were assessed. The health behavior, MTM utilization, distinguished the intervention and control groups. The health outcomes were change in number of medication-related problems, change in medication adherence [using the medication possession ratio (MPR)], and change in total drug costs. Medication knowledge, medication adherence (using the Morisky Scale), and patient satisfaction were also measured in the intervention group. The intervention and control groups were not significantly different in age (71.2 ± 7.5 vs. 73.9 ± 8.0 years), number of medications (13.0 ± 3.2 vs. 13.2 ± 3.4), number of chronic diseases (6.5 ± 2.3 vs. 7.0 ± 2.1), and medication regimen complexity [21.5 (range 8 – 43) vs. 22.8 (range 9 – 42.5)], respectively. For the subset of problems that was evaluated in the intervention and control groups, 4.8 (± 2.7) and 9.2 (± 2.9) problems were identified at baseline and 2.7 (± 2.3) and 8.6 (± 2.9) problems remained at the 3-month follow-up, respectively. Cost-related and preventative care needs and drug-drug interactions were the three most common problems identified. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the intervention group had significantly more problems resolved (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group, while controlling for predisposing and need factors. Significantly fewer problems were resolved (p = 0.01) as number of diseases increased and significantly more problems were resolved (p = 0.01) as medication regimen complexity increased. There were no significant predictors of change in MPR or total drug costs from baseline to the 3-month follow-up. Medication knowledge and medication adherence measured by the Morisky scale did not change significantly from baseline to the 2-week follow-up. However, patients were very satisfied with the service. A pharmacist-provided telephone MTM program was an effective method for identifying and resolving medication and health-related problems. A longer follow-up period may be necessary to detect the impact of pharmacist provision of MTM on adherence, total drug costs, and knowledge. / text

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1992. / Includes tables. Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Carmine Paul Gibaldi. Dissertation Committee: L. Lee Knefelkamp. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-168).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-129).