Dataset Information

Pharmacists' approach to oncology medicine shortages: results of a cross-sectional survey in Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The study estimated the shortages of oncology medicines in Pakistan, their causes, impacts, mitigation strategies, and possible interventions.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Oncology pharmacists working at 43 oncology settings (out of 80) from five regions of Pakistan (four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan) and one federal territory (Islamabad)) were approached.

Participants

Oncology pharmacists with more than 1 year of experience were selected using stratified random sampling, and data were collected using a questionnaire from September 2021 to January 2022.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

To estimate the prevalence of oncology medicine shortages in Pakistan and establish recommendations to overcome them.

Results

Of 167 responded pharmacists, 87% experienced shortages in their practice. Most respondents (50%) experienced both oncology and support agent shortages. It was a current problem in hospitals (58%) and increased with time, but the situation varied across regions (p=0.007). Mainly shortages occur half-yearly (p=0.001) and last for <3 months. Injectable (56.8%) and branded drugs (44.9%) were short. The most frequently mentioned drugs affected by shortages were etoposide, paclitaxel, dacarbazine, bleomycin and carboplatin. Usually, distributors (51.5%) notify the pharmacists about the shortages, and federal agencies (36%) are responsible for these shortages. Distributors (53.4%) were the main source of supply, and shortages were encountered by them as well. The impacts included delayed care (25%) and suboptimal outcomes (23%) on patients, extra time (32%) for staff, prioritisation issues (31%) for pharmacists, delayed clinical trials (60.5%) and increased drugs prices (52.1%). Some hospitals have reporting systems (39.5%) and recording (29.3%) drug shortages. The shortages were managed using available alternative options (21%) and redistributing (21%) the currently available stock.

Conclusion

Pakistan's healthcare system is affected by oncology medicine shortages. The government should establish a cancer registry and drug shortage platform, revise drug prescribing/pricing policies and practice penalties for breaching regulations. Oncology medicines must be widely available to avoid the grey market.

SUBMITTER: Shukar S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10510916 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Pharmacists' approach to oncology medicine shortages: results of a cross-sectional survey in Pakistan.

Shukar Sundus S Shahid Muhammad Hassaan MH Zhang Jinwei J Din Shayan Muhammad SM Khan Faiz Ullah FU Fang Yu Y Yang Caijun C

BMJ open 20230918 9

<h4>Objectives</h4>The study estimated the shortages of oncology medicines in Pakistan, their causes, impacts, mitigation strategies, and possible interventions.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional survey.<h4>Setting</h4>Oncology pharmacists working at 43 oncology settings (out of 80) from five regions of Pakistan (four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan) and one federal territory (Islamabad)) were approached.<h4>Participants</h4>Oncology pharmacists with more than 1 year of ...[more]

PMID: 37723107

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Dataset Information

Pharmacists' approach to oncology medicine shortages: results of a cross-sectional survey in Pakistan.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Pharmacists' approach to oncology medicine shortages: results of a cross-sectional survey in Pakistan.

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