The research problem addressed in this study was to determine whether successful retail pharmacists exhibited specific traits. To achieve this objective a theoretical schedule of traits was developed, using relevant literature in which traits of entrepreneurs are described. The theoretical list consisted of the possession of the following traits: The need to achieve; Confidence in their abilities; The successful management of risk; Creativity and the possession of vision; The tendency/ability to view changes as opportunities; Internal locus of control; Leadership; High level of motivation; Tenacity; Communication skills. Each trait of the schedule was analysed using the literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical list was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which retail pharmacists in the Greater Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage Metropole concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical list of traits of successful retail pharmacists that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical schedule being confirmed and accepted as a list of traits possessed by successful retail pharmacists.

Doctor Pharmaceuticae - DPharm / The effect of industrialisation has thrust the pharmaceutical profession into a clinical paradigm where the approcah to pharmaceutical decisions is more disease and patient orientated. Consequently, South African community pharmacies are inundated with requests from the public for advice and treatment on a wide range of medical conditions, including sexually transmitted infections (STI's). Although community pharmacies are often the first port of call for undiagnosed STI, limited diagnostic skills and legally-imposed prescribing restrictions preclude pharmacists from providing the necessary clinical management. The overarching goal of this dissertation was to present objective arguments and evidences (new and existing) around an expanded role for pharmacists in STI partner management. / South Africa

The thesis explores the various instances in which pharmacists may incur delictual liability for harm suffered by their patients or third parties. As such, it is primarily concerned with the field of professional negligence. The work focuses specifically on the wrongfulness, fault and causation enquiries in pharmacy malpractice cases. The discussion is set against the backdrop of the pharmacy profession's shift towards patient-orientated service in recent years and explores whether this change in the profession's social role has had any effect on the legal duties and standard of care to which pharmacists are currently bound. It is argued that, in light of the dangers posed by modern medicines and the extent to which pharmacists are professionally expected to involve themselves in patient care, pharmacists can no longer escape liability simply by accurately dispensing pharmaceutical products. Rather, they are expected to participate actively in avoiding drug-related injury by, for example, providing patient counselling, detecting invalid or erroneous prescriptions and monitoring prescription refills. Although the thesis places particular emphasis on the role of pharmacists in achieving risk management, it also argues that pharmacists are, in very limited circumstances, required to participate in the risk assessment process traditionally thought to fall exclusively into the realm of physicians. It is furthermore demonstrated that pharmacists can incur liability regardless of whether a patient's harm can also be partially attributed to the blameworthy conduct of another healthcare professional. Although the thesis concludes that pharmacists are currently exposed to greater risks of liability than they were in the past, it also shows that plaintiffs who seek damages from pharmacists will usually experience a number of difficulties in establishing liability. In particular, problems are likely to be encountered in satisfying a court as to the presence of factual causation, which is notoriously difficult to establish in drug-related cases.

Cette thèse s’intéresse, d'une part à la question de la maîtrise des dépenses de médicaments, et d'autre part à l’analyse de la concurrence en prix sur le marché des médicaments non remboursables, à la lumière des politiques de déremboursement.Ces dernières années, des actions visant à modifier les pratiques des prescripteurs se développent avec des actions de ciblage des médecins. Le premier chapitre de cette thèse pose ainsi la question de l’identification de ces médecins dans les systèmes d’informations actuels. Les résultats montrent que si les médecins généralistes outliers peuvent être identifiés correctement, il est néanmoins nécessaire, pour élargir le ciblage, de privilégier des indicateurs relevant de pathologies précises ou d’enrichir les systèmes d’informations avec les codes diagnostic pour définir des indicateurs plus généraux.Outre l'état de santé des patients, différents déterminants, sociologiques et économiques, peuvent influencer les pratiques des médecins, dont l'environnement concurrentiel. Le deuxième chapitre s’intéresse à l’effet de l’inégale répartition spatiale des médecins, dans le cas de la prescription de médicaments. Les résultats sont sensibles à la spécification retenue de la variable de densité médicale et invitent à conclure à une absence d’effet de l’évolution de la densité sur la variation des dépenses de prescription. Néanmoins, ce résultat reflète la somme de deux effets contraires qui se compensent.Le troisième chapitre s’inscrit dans un contexte où la question d’ouvrir la vente des médicaments non remboursables en dehors des officines se pose de plus en plus. Les résultats soulignent un manque de concurrence en prix entre officines sur ce segment de marché. / This thesis addresses several issues: on the one hand, we focus on policies for controlling drug expenditures: on the other hand, we analyze the price competition on the OTC drugs market, in a context of drugs delisting policies.In recent years, some plans to affect change and improve prescribing practices are developed, with the emergence of physician profiling methods. The first chapter wonders about such a profiling in the current information system. Results show that outliers can be correctly identified; but to broaden profiling, we have to use some disease-specific indicators, or to improve information systems with diagnostic codes to define more general indicators.In addition to patient health, various sociological and economic factors may influence physician practices, including the competitive environment. The second chapter focuses on the unequal spatial distribution of general practitioners on drugs prescribing variability. Results are sensitive to the specification used for the medical density variable and suggest there is no effect of the density variation on the average prescribing cost per patient and per physician. However, this result reflects the sum of two opposite effects that cancel.In a context where the sale of OTC drugs outside pharmacies is controversial, the third chapter show there is no price competition between pharmacies on this market segment.

Medication errors are becoming problematic in both hospital and outpatient settings worldwide. Inappropriate use of medication can cause harm to the patient and maintaining high levels of quality patient care is essential to protect all patients. Clinical pharmacy practice contributes to improved patient care by optimising medication therapy; and promoting health, wellness and disease prevention. The involvement of a pharmacist at a ward level has been shown to improve patient care; reduce mortality and morbidity rates; decrease healthcare costs; minimise medication errors; and improve outcomes of drug therapy. However, clinical pharmacy is a fairly new practice in South Africa and there are limited studies available. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived benefits of a ward-based pharmacist on the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients in a hospital setting and to consequently implement a ward-based pharmacy service. The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess, via a questionnaire, the perceptions and attitudes of medical practitioners and nurses to ward-based pharmacy prior to and after implementation of a ward-based pharmacy service, (2) to implement a ward-based pharmacy service in a selected hospital ward; (3) to document and analyse the nature of the work and activities that a ward pharmacist undertakes, and (4) to document and analyse the frequency and nature of ward pharmacist interventions. The study was conducted in a surgical ward of a private hospital in the Eastern Cape. The study design was an intervention study, using a mixed-methods design, with a convergent approach. A convenience sample of 106 patients was obtained over the eight week study period. Participation was voluntary and confidentiality was maintained at all times. Four data collection tools were used during the study and a pilot study was conducted to ensure their validity and reliability. The quantitative data was analysed statistically while the qualitative questions were analysed through coding the various responses. The results of the study showed that medical practitioners and nurses of a surgical ward had a positive attitude towards ward pharmacy both prior to and after the implementation of a ward pharmacy service. There were ward pharmacist interventions made in 50% (n=106) of the patients who participated in the study. A large percentage (57%; 50; n=87) of the ward pharmacist interventions were pharmacist-initiated interventions to optimise patient care while prescribing errors (51%; 19; n=37) were the most commonly occurring medication error. The majority of the medication items involved in the interventions (34%; 34; n=101) were related to the anti-microbial medication class. Overall, there was a 73% (36; n=49) acceptance rate of the ward pharmacist interventions that were made to both the medical practitioners and nurses. There were a number of factors that had a significant relationship with a ward pharmacist intervention being required which included: (1) number of medication items (p=0.001; Chi² test; p<0.0005 Student’s t-test), (2) length of hospital stay (p<0.0005; Chi² test), (3) presence of one or more chronic disease states (p=0.003; Chi² test) and (4) presence of one or more allergies (p=0.028; Chi² test). The ward pharmacist interventions were shown to be of clinical significance and to have a positive impact on the patients concerned. It can be concluded that the ward pharmacy service was beneficial to the patients, medical practitioners and nursing staff.

The main objective of this study was to investigate factors contributing to employee turnover in the South African pharmaceutical industry and to suggest strategies to minimize it. Employee turnover is a persistent problem facing both public and private organizations in South Africa. In addition to the costs incurred when an employee resigns, losing employees results in a loss of knowledge, skills and experience. Numerous studies have been undertaken globally on this topic. However, this problem continues to adversely affect organizations in several ways. Schwab (1991) suggests that this is because there are no clear resolutions yet to this challenge. Based on literature review conducted, there is no study undertaken in South Africa attempting to address this problem. The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to high turnover rate of pharmacists in South Africa (the pharmaceutical industry in particular) and to recommend strategies to address this problem. A quantitative research approach was followed when addressing this problem. Literature review was conducted on employee turnover and a questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was used as a measuring instrument. Following a non-probability, convenience sampling method, two pharmaceutical companies in Gauteng and one in the Eastern Cape were surveyed. The results were analysed by a statistician using Epi-info and stata software as tools for statistical analysis. The following factors were found to be key factors contributing to employee turnover in the pharmaceutical industry: (i) lack of career advancement opportunities, (ii) uncompetitive salary packages, (iii) perceived inequity reflecting leadership challenges, (iv) insufficient recognition for good performance, (v) stress, and (vi) insufficient retention strategies. An effective retention strategy should address all factors that may contribute to employee turnover. A retention strategy that combines competitive salary packages, opportunities for learning and career advancement, recognition, equity and support structures (to deal with stress), should be used in the pharmaceutical industry. This will assist in creating a motivating climate, which is a pre-requisite for job satisfaction and, in turn, employee retention.

Doctor Pharmaceuticae - DPharm / South Africa's White Paper for the transformation of the health care system in South Africa (DOH, 2007) acknowledges major disparities and inequalities as a result of an imprint by apartheid policies. In its transition to democracy, health promotion strategies have been initiated to address these disparities. However, such strategies have been narrowed and "favoured target audiences that are literate, urban-based and who have easy access to print and audio-visual media" (DOH, 1997). This implies that many vulnerable and marginalised groupings in South Africa, including the Deaf community are excluded from health promotion endeavours. Deaf people in South Africa communicate using South African Sign Language (SASL) and majority of the Deaf community exhibit poor literacy levels. Deafness is a significant communication barrier which limits a Deaf person's prospect to attain the best possible health care (Barnett, et al 2011). Various means of communication including spoken language, written instructions and the use of pictograms are used by healthcare workers to communicate health-related information. For many members of the Deaf community who communicate primarily in sign language, these methods are a sub-standard and prevent the attainment of optimum therapeutic outcomes. With regard to pharmaco-therapeutic services, Deaf people cannot hear the spoken language used by pharmacists during patient counselling, and their compromised functional literacy hinders the ability to read instructions on medicine labels. With both the spoken and written means of communication compromised, the Deaf patient's ability to comprehend instruction by pharmacists on how to use their medicines is inadequate and as a result, a Deaf patient may leave the pharmacy with medicine, but a poor understanding of how to use the medicine safely and effectively. Previous researchers have worked on building a technology base, including industrial design and computer science expertise to conceptualize the groundwork of a mobile phone application called SignSupport to facilitate communication between medical doctors and Deaf individuals. The particulars of the pharmacy scenario however, require a pharmacy-specific device to be of use in the dispensing of medicines to a Deaf patient in a pharmacy. The over-arching goal of this thesis is to design and evaluate a mobile phone application to facilitate the communication of medicine instructions between a Deaf patient and a pharmacist. Qualitative, participatory action research and community-based co-design strategies were directed toward Deaf participants, senior pharmacy students and pharmacists to create a prototype of the afore-mentioned mobile phone application. Preliminary results indicated that the application was suitable to pharmacists and Deaf community. Furthermore, both sets of users approved the overall design and were receptive to and keen on the practical uses of the application. Inadequacies pointed out by the Deaf community and pharmacists were addressed as an iterative modification to the prototype and culminated in version 2 which was deployed in an actual hospital pharmacy in 2015. Hospital usability studies generated largely positive results from both Deaf users and pharmacists, indicating that SignSupport is able to facilitate communication between pharmacists and Deaf patients. Next steps include advancing the application to a market–ready version that is downloadable and available as an application on the play stores of commercially available smart phones. / National Research Foundation

Aromatherapy and Pharmacies in the Czech Republic Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University in Prague, The Czech Republic Author: Anna Hamrová Thesis supervisor: PharmDr. Jitka Pokladníková, Ph.D. Introduction and objective: Aromatherapy represents a method of alternative and complementary medicine. However, up to date, there have not been published any studies which would focus on pharmacists' and pharmacy technicians' opinion on this particular treatment method. This has provided us an incentive to investigate given topic. The main objective of this thesis is thus to further specify the attitudes, knowledge and awareness of Czech pharmacists and pharmacy technicians of aromatherapy. Methods: The thesis draws from pilot research project. For the research the method of cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used. The data was collected during the period of mid-September till end of October 2020. The data was subsequently analytically processed in Microsoft Excel. Results: The questionnaire was filled by 246 respondents (192 pharmacists and 54 pharmacy technicians). The data collected indicated that respondents more often did not consider aromatherapy as a very effective medical treatment. Data demonstrated a significant difference...

Thesis (M.Pharm.) -- University of Limpopo -- 2020 / Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are chronic diseases in nature, have been the most common cause of death and disability globally for the last three decades. The prevalence of hypertension in South Africa has been estimated to be 20% of the adult population with over six million people being affected. Patient’s knowledge and awareness of blood pressure plays an important role in achieving successful control of hypertension. Although it is important for a physician to be involved in this educational process, pharmacists also have a role to play in this regard. Given their accessibility and drug therapy expertise, pharmacists are a logical choice and a valuable asset to improve hypertension management via team-based care and also when they are in direct consultation with the patients. Methods: The study involved both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data from 341 patients attending the 4 clinics at Ga-Dikgale. A semi-structured one-on-one interviews were used as data collection for 20 pharmacists working at Mankweng hospital until saturation was reached. Results: On the knowledge about definition, 30.7% were knowledgeable and 5.8% were highly knowledgeable. On the knowledge about treatment, 48% were highly knowledgeable. With regards to lifestyle modifications 77.8% were highly knowledgeable. For complications of hypertension, 63.2% were highly knowledgeable. Amongst the participants level of education proved to play a significant role on the knowledge of hypertension. The study also revealed that pharmacists shared similar practices in the management of hypertension. The following themes emerged from the data analysis, using Tesch’s inductive, descriptive coding technique of qualitative data analysis: Perceived roles of pharmacists during the management of hypertensive patients, expectations of pharmacists during provision of medication to hypertensive patients, and challenges related to pharmacists’ practices during care of hypertensive patient}s. Conclusions: The results of the quantitative study indicated that participants at Dikgale have good knowledge about hypertension, although previous studies indicate high rates of cardio-metabolic risk factors for hypertension. Further studies need to be conducted to determine reasons for patients not practicing lifestyle modifications. The results of the qualitative study indicated that there are common practices of pharmacists in the management of hypertension. More attention should be focused on training pharmacists on how to provide comprehensive counselling to hypertensive patients. There should also be workshops for pharmacists on how to efficiently educate patients on hypertension. / VLIR

<p>Please insert 2 pages into the main thesis - page 39 and page 40</p> <p>- 2 separate PDF attachments will be included plus the main thesis.</p> / <p><strong>Background:</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong> Academic detailing (AD) provides evidence-based education to healthcare professionals in their practice setting and has been found to improve knowledge and prescribing in many situations. Personalized academic detailing (PAD) is a new initiative by the Hamilton Family Health Team (FHT) in which pharmacists integrated within the FHT provide an AD service to prescribers in their office.</p> <p><strong>Objective: </strong></p> <p>To describe and determine the feasibility of a smoking cessation (SC) PAD program.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong></p> <p>Design: Descriptive retrospective cohort pilot project</p> <p>Setting: Primary Care Setting</p> <p>Participants: FHT pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients</p> <p>Intervention:</p> <p>Pharmacists receive basic AD training and education (upskilling) on SC; and provide education to clinicians</p> <p><strong>Feasibility Criteria for success:</strong> <ol> <li>PAD coordinator time to train pharmacists <40 >hours</li> <li>Average time for upskilling <20 >hours</li> <li>Average time for PAD session are <60 minutes and><30 minutes for initial and follow-up>visits, respectively</li> <li>Percentage of clinicians detailed within 3 and 6 months are >50% and >70%, respectively</li> <li>Number of new SC referrals to the pharmacist at 3 and 6 months are >5 patients/1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) pharmacist and >10 patients/1.0 FTE pharmacist, respectively.</li> </ol></p> <p><strong>Results:</strong></p> <p>Eight pharmacists (5.8 FTE) received basic AD training and upskilling on SC PAD. Consent was obtained from 48/54 (88.9%) physicians and 9/10 (90.0%) NPs.</p> <p>The PAD coordinator training time was 29.1 hours. The median time for upskilling was 3.1 hours. The median time for PAD session was 15 and 5 minutes for an initial visit and follow-up visit, respectively. The number of clinicians detailed within 3 and 6 months were 50/64 (78.1%) and 57/64 (89.1%), respectively. The number of new SC referrals at 3 and 6 months was 66 and 200 patients, respectively.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p>This pilot study showed that the main study is feasible with respect to the management, resources, process and scientific components.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)