How do community pharmacies in Ontario manage drug shortage problems? Results of an exploratory qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pharmacists report spending a considerable amount of time dealing with drug shortages. There is no research in Canada identifying and describing the strategies and resources that pharmacists use to minimize disruption and continuity of care for patients.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative methodology was used. Community pharmacists and technicians in Ontario were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Verbatim transcripts were generated and coded by at least 2 independent reviewers using content analysis methods to identify management strategies.

Results and discussion

A total of 14 pharmacists and 7 regulated pharmacy technicians participated in this study. The following 5 main strategies for managing drug shortages were identified: (1) using the su

SUBMITTER: Panic G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7689631 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature