Patient Care Database » Article Detail
Engaging community pharmacists as partners in tuberculosis control: a case study from Mumbai, India
Abstract:
Background: The lack of collaboration between community pharmacists and public sector TB control authorities may mean that anti-TB medicines are unwittingly sold without knowledge about their rational and appropriate use. Poor adherence to antibiotics used to treat TB has been linked to the emergence of drug resistance. Previous initiatives to engage the private sector in TB control in Mumbai have not involved community pharmacists.
Objective: To describe the implementation and success of a workshop designed to teach community pharmacists in Mumbai about tuberculosis.
Methods: Two interactive education workshops about TB control were conducted in the North East and Navi Mumbai Districts of Mumbai during February and March 2005. Invitations for pharmacists to participate in the two workshops were mailed to all members of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists practicing in the respective districts.
Results: The first workshop was attended by 59 pharmacists and the second workshop by 60 pharmacists. The workshops included both didactic lecture style presentations on TB transmission, diagnosis and treatment, and small group discussions. Pharmacists were advised to recommend patients consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis, and when prescribed anti-TB medicines, to complete the necessary course of treatment. Other topics covered at the workshops included communication skills, patient counseling, case detection, the RNTCP and the rational use of anti-TB medicines, and use of the Internet to access health information. Training in the use of the Internet was specifically provided to enable pharmacists to access support from the recently established Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council Drug Information Centre. In recognition of their participation in the workshops, pharmacists who attended were presented with white lab coats (commonly worn by health care professionals in India) and reference books. Anecdotally, participation in the education workshops was associated with a high degree of professional satisfaction.
Conclusions: Implementing strategies to engage community pharmacists as partners in TB control has the potential to improve the quality and accessibility of TB treatment services in Mumbai. The value of using community pharmacists to promote improved public health is gaining recognition.
Type of Article: Case Study
Disease states: Infectious Disease, Tuberculosis
Clinical services:
Monitoring values studied:
Number of pharmacists attending an educational workshop about tuberculosis; Type of information given in workshop; Satisfaction of pharmacists attending the workshops
General objectives:
The objective of this article is to describe the implementation and success of a workshop designed to teach community pharmacists in Mumbai about tuberculosis.
General results:
The first workshop was attended by 59 pharmacists and the second workshop by 60 pharmacists. The workshops included both didactic lecture style presentations on TB transmission, diagnosis and treatment, and small group discussions. Pharmacists were advised to recommend patients consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis, and when prescribed anti-TB medicines, to complete the necessary course of treatment. Other topics covered at the workshops included communication skills, patient counseling, case detection, the RNTCP and the rational use of anti-TB medicines, and use of the Internet to access health information. Training in the use of the Internet was specifically provided to enable pharmacists to access support from the recently established Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council Drug Information Centre. In recognition of their participation in the workshops, pharmacists who attended were presented with white lab coats (commonly worn by health care professionals in India) and reference books. Anecdotally, participation in the education workshops was associated with a high degree of professional satisfaction.
Health outcome objectives:
Not available
Health outcome results:
Not available
Economic objectives:
Not available
Economic results:
Not available
Pharmacies studied: Not identified
Type of pharmacy: Independent
Region(s): International
Environments(s): Urban
Country: India
State: Not identified
City: Mumbai
Notes: None
Full citation: Gharat MS, Bell CA, Ambe GT, Bell JS. Engaging community pharmacists as partners in tuberculosis control: a case study from Mumbai, India. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2007;3(4):464-470.
Publication: Research In Social & Administrative Pharmacy
Published: 2007
MeSH terms: Community Pharmacy Services (trends); Community Pharmacy Services (organization & administration); Health Education; Humans; India (epidemiology); Infection Control (organization & administration); Infection Control (trends); Pharmaceutical Services; Pharmacists; Tuberculosis (prevention & control); Tuberculosis (epidemiology)
PMID: 18082879