Adherence to good pharmacy practices of community pharmacies in the Gampaha District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The guidelines for good pharmacy practices (GPP) were introduced in 2019 in Sri Lanka but their adherence is not studied. We studied the adherence to GPP of community pharmacies in the Gampaha district of Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVES: To determine the adherence to good pharmacy practices (GPP) of community pharmacies in the Gampaha district, Sri Lanka. METHODS: We did a descriptive cross-sectional study of all community pharmacies in the Gampaha district from 18th January to 8th February 2023. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire developed using the guideline of GPP-2019 issued by the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA). The questionnaire comprised of 50-questions covering five broad areas of GPP; characteristics of the pharmacists, services and facilities provided, medicine storage, data management, and dispensing/distribution of medicines. Each question was given a mark and the final score was converted to a percentage. RESULTS: We received responses from 194 pharmacies. The mean adherence score was 68.8 (SD 12.8, range 24-97) %. 53.1% of the pharmacies had a score of more than 70% and 79.4% of pharmacies were aware of the GPP guideline by NMRA. 75% of pharmacies had a licensed pharmacist constantly. 92.3% of pharmacies were equipped with air conditioners, and 96.9% were equipped with a refrigerator. However, only 34% of pharmacies had a facade, “pharmacy” written in all three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, English) and 23.71% of pharmacies dispensed antibiotics without a prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Only half of the community pharmacies in the Gampaha district were adherent to GPP.