Covid-19 Control Measures by some community Pharmacies in Sulaimani City/Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31351/vol32iss1pp67-74Keywords:
Key words: COVID-19, community pharmacy, and control measuresAbstract
Background: Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has enormously affected various healthcare services including the one of community pharmacy. The ramifications of these effects on Iraqi community pharmacies and the measures they have taken to tackle the spread of COVID-19 is yet to be explored. In this cross sectional survey, infection control measures by community pharmacies in Sulaimani city/Iraq has been investigated.
Methods: Community pharmacists were randomly allocated to participate in a cross-sectional survey via visiting their pharmacies and filling up the questionnaire form.
Results and discussion: A total of 50 pharmacies responded to the survey. Results showed that large numbers of community pharmacies (50%) have started to implement infection control measures during May 2020, three months after reporting the first COVID-29 cases in Iraq. The data shows that wearing face masks and washing hands frequently were among the most common personal measures to curb the spread of the virus with 33% each. Results reveal that 70% of the pharmacies sanitized customer’s space on a daily base and more than half of the participants install 1 meter distance measures between the customers. Meanwhile, almost half of the community pharmacies reduced the number of front line staff into one, minimising the risk of contact with infectious customers. Upon having a staff member testing positive, testing or self-isolation on all other staff members were imposed by the participants.
Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Iraq were facing unprecedented challenge when coronavirus hit the country. Taking control measures by community pharmacies were of paramount significance to curb the spread of the virus in their working place and the community as well all these need a sophisticated plan in the future.
References
. Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Fan G, Liu Y, Liu Z, et al. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study. The Lancet. 2020 Mar;395(10229):1054–62.
Mallhi TH, Liaqat A, Abid A, Khan YH, Alotaibi NH, Alzarea AI, et al. Multilevel Engagements of Pharmacists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Way Forward. Front Public Health. 2020 Dec 8;8:561924.
Zaidi STR, Hasan SS. Personal protective practices and pharmacy services delivery by community pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a national survey. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Jan;17(1):1832–7.
Al-Malkey MK, Al-Sammak MA. Incidence of the COVID-19 in Iraq – Implications for travellers. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2020 Nov;38:101739.
Al-Jumaili AA, Sami SG, AL-Rekabi MD. The Preparedness of Public Healthcare Settings and Providers to Face the COVID-19 Pandemic. Latin American Journal of Pharmacy. 2021;40(Special Issue):15–22.
Carico R “Ron,” Sheppard J, Thomas CB. Community pharmacists and communication in the time of COVID-19: Applying the health belief model. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Jan;17(1):1984–7.
Hasan SS, Kow CS, Zaidi STR. Social distancing and the use of PPE by community pharmacy personnel: Does evidence support these measures? Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Feb;17(2):456–9.
Al-Jumaili AA, Al-Fatlawi BG, Al-Jalehawi AK, Al-Hamadani FY, Alsawad OS. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers: save the frontline fighters. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2021 Aug 11;29(4):369–75.
Aruru M, Truong H-A, Clark S. Pharmacy Emergency Preparedness and Response (PEPR): a proposed framework for expanding pharmacy professionals’ roles and contributions to emergency preparedness and response during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Jan;17(1):1967–77.
Hayden JC, Parkin R. The challenges of COVID-19 for community pharmacists and opportunities for the future. Ir j psychol Med. 2020 Sep;37(3):198–203.
Zheng S, Yang L, Zhou P, Li H, Liu F, Zhao R. Recommendations and guidance for providing pharmaceutical care services during COVID-19 pandemic: A China perspective. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Jan;17(1):1819–24.
Sum ZZ, Ow CJW. Community pharmacy response to infection control during COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2021 Jan;17(1):1845–52.
Cirrincione L, Plescia F, Ledda C, Rapisarda V, Martorana D, Moldovan RE, et al. COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevention and Protection Measures to Be Adopted at the Workplace. Sustainability. 2020 Apr 29;12(9):3603.
Aumeran C, Henquell C, Brebion A, Noureddine J, Traore O, Lesens O. Isolation gown contamination during healthcare of confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2021 Jan;107:111–3.
Jarvis CI, Van Zandvoort K, Gimma A, Prem K, CMMID COVID-19 working group, Klepac P, et al. Quantifying the impact of physical distance measures on the transmission of COVID-19 in the UK. BMC Med. 2020 May 7;18(1):124.
de Souza Melo A, da Penha Sobral AIG, Marinho MLM, Duarte GB, Vieira AA, Sobral MFF. The impact of social distancing on COVID-19 infections and deaths. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2021 Dec;7(1):12.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ( P-ISSN 1683 - 3597 E-ISSN 2521 - 3512)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
