Table 1 Services provided by community pharmacists in tackling COVID-19 health crisis
Continents | Country | Community activities |
|---|---|---|
North America | • COVID-19 testing sites in community pharmacies • Gave initial treatment to the patients with allergic symptoms, influenza and Group A Streptococcus. • Performed emergency refill and certain acts without the supervision of a physician, authorized to treat certain conditions, • Performed remote data entry and taking new orders • Mitigated the shortage events of life saving drugs | |
• Daily screening of patients • Offered home delivery services to COVID-19 vulnerable patients • Extending prescriptions and prescribing certain medications alongside doctors | ||
Europe | • Carried out online consultation service for patients (Pharmadoctor eTool) • Provided psycho-social support and prescription-free supply of particular controlled medicine to the patients with home-delivery of medicines to the self- isolating patients • Ensured rapid COVID-19 testing service | |
• Renewal of chronic treatment by community pharmacists • Rights to prepare hydroalcoholic gels in case of shortage • Continuous supply of essential medicine with psycho-social support • Reported the complaints of domestic violence | ||
Italy [32] | • Decree for pharmacists to give oxygen to the patients • Introduction of e-prescription and disinfectant products preparation • Continuous supply of essential medicine and home delivery service to vulnerable populations by Federfarma. | |
• Offered service to the victims of gender violence by requesting a “Mask 19” • Provided clinical screening and interventions • Tele-pharmacy services for chronic disease | ||
• Reported the complaints of domestic violence to the pharmacy using code word “Masker 19” • Tele-pharmacy services for chronic disease | ||
Oceania | • Reviewed medication orders and verification • Acted as an “central information center” to provide COVID-19 related information • Extend the supply of medications for chronic diseases • Provided home delivery medication services | |
New Zealand [36] | • Provided one-stop pharmacy service that included home-delivery service • Disseminated proper information on community transmission and hand-hygiene | |
Asia | • Maintained controlled environment in the community • Ensured regular medical supplies (masks, OTC drugs, disinfectants, thermometer, etc.) and home delivery services through technology • Patient counseling services and served as a custodian of patient safety • Identified probable infections and recorded patients demographic as well as personal information | |
Jordan [40] | • Conducted seminars and preparing educational videos related to the COVID-19 infection • Preparation of alcohol-based disinfectants | |
Taiwan [41] | • Proper system for surgical masks distribution and internet based system to check the availability • Provided dispensing services to minimize prescription seeking patients | |
Macao [30] | • Maintained overall infection progress and government approach “The Guaranteed Mask Supply for Macao residents Scheme” | |
Saudi Arabia [31] | • Ensured proper use of medicine to prevent misuse of drugs. • Reported to concerned authority about any suspected case of COVID-19 • Developed informational content such as banner, poster, leaflet to facilitate MOH guideline about COVID-19 among people • Provided home delivery of medicine, telemedicine service and counseling to home quarantined individuals | |
• Collected person sample from door to door • Identified patients with symptoms and send them to quarantine • Provided medications and supplies to their communities | ||
• Delivered pharmaceutical care through tele-pharmacy to the patient with chronic disease | ||
Qatar [34] | • Reviewed medication orders and verification • Participated in COVID-19 screening and testing • Provided home delivery of medications | |
South America | Colombia [28] | • Detection and appropriate referral of possible COVID-19 cases • Provided patient education |
Brazil [44] | • Provided information on COVID-19 • Review of medication history, drug therapy and follow-up • Medication adherence guidance in acute and chronic disease | |
Africa | • Debunked myths of using chloroquine and other unapproved drugs for the cure of COVID-19 • Reviewed medication orders and verification | |
Egypt [29] | • Delivered pharmaceutical care through tele-pharmacy to the patient with chronic disease | |
South Africa [34] | • Extend the supply of medications for chronic diseases • Reviewed medication orders and verification | |
Kenya [20] | • Advocated zero-tax implementation on drugs to ensure drug affordability |