Public awareness of Pharmaceutical care availability in community pharmacies in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pharmacy practice has transcended from largely a dispensary practice to pharmaceutical care practice. It is necessary to assess public awareness and demand for pharmaceutical care in Yenogoa. This study used a sample size of 450 randomly selected respondents not below 18 years of age. Only 21% of the  respondents had the right knowledge about the community pharmacist, while 39% needed the services of the pharmacist before or during drug use. Furthermore, the awareness of availability of pharmaceutical care services in community pharmacies was 3% while 75% of the respondents believed a community pharmacy was just a place drugs can be obtained. As the profession and pharmacists endeavour to  improve knowledge and skill to deliver pharmaceutical care to the society, efforts should be made to increase its awareness and demand. This is imperative for its rooting in Nigeria and ensuring sustained societal professional relevance and mutual benefit. Keywords: patient focused care, community pharmacy, Nigeria Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 1 (2010)