Introduction The practice of Pharmacy has undergone gradual improvement in recent years. From traditional practices such as patient counseling and dispensing automation, the field has continued to develop new methods for delivering efficient pharmaceutical care and reducing medication errors in all aspects of healthcare. One interesting program that has been implemented is called Telepharmacy. This program is currently being practiced in North Dakota, Washington, and Australia.
Telepharmacy is the utilization of advanced communication technology by pharmacists to remotely provide pharmaceutical care to patients. Factors that impede the provision of quality pharmaceutical services in remote areas include geographic barriers, a shortage of pharmacists in remote towns, distant pharmacy locations, financial challenges, and limited availability of medications. The implementation of telepharmacy would effectively address these issues.
Several studies have found that a lack of pharmacist availability in rural hospitals negatively impacts medication safety (M. Casey et al., 2008). Telepharmacy can address this issue by providing 24-hour pharmaceutical services. Telecommunication is essential for exchanging information effectively, and when applied to dispensing medical information, it greatly benefits the field of Pharmacy by allowing for the remote delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients.
The need for pharmacists has become more evident due to the modernization and increasing complexity of medicines and their ability to cure, mitigate, and treat diseases. The Telepharmacy program allows for better access to efficient healthcare regardless of patients’ locations, so it is important to ensure the readiness of community pharmacists for the program. Telepharmacists are responsible for conducting comprehensive drug utilization reviews on patient medication profiles and providing mandatory patient education counseling over the phone. The readiness of community pharmacists is crucial for the successful implementation of Telepharmacy. Even though pharmacists are not physically present, patients can still consult with a registered pharmacist and have their prescriptions verified through video conferencing.
Enabling telepharmacy for medication dispensing will enhance access to pharmacy services for more patients. With telepharmacy, even urgent situations can be addressed and medication counseling by Pharmacists can be provided. The readiness of Registered Pharmacists for this program will ensure the success of telepharmacy in the country, as it will demonstrate that the goals were achieved, purposes were met, and clients responded positively.
Telepharmacy technology allows licensed pharmacists to provide traditional pharmacy services, such as drug utilization review, prescription verification, and patient counseling, to a remote site. This ensures the delivery of safe and high-quality pharmacy services, which can be compromised in internet and mail-order pharmacies where the pharmacist’s involvement is absent.
According to Peterson (2004), the researchers believe that conducting this study will significantly increase public and professional awareness of the significant contribution of Telepharmacy in providing quality pharmaceutical care. They also suggest that Telepharmacy can help reduce medication errors, as pharmacists can provide counseling over the phone. This would improve the practice of Pharmacy in the country and lead to its full implementation in the Philippines, highlighting the crucial role of pharmacists in Filipino healthcare.
The assessment of pharmacists’ readiness will demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the Telepharmacy program in the Philippines. This study will evaluate and determine the potential for Telepharmacy practice in the country and provide evidence for its widespread use in disseminating drug information.
Telepharmacy is a promising solution for improving pharmaceutical care in small rural hospitals. It has the potential to decrease medication errors and adverse drug events (M. Casey, et al, 2008). Although it is a relatively new concept, there is limited peer-reviewed literature on this topic. However, other countries have successfully implemented telepharmacy to remotely provide patients with drug information. These countries have developed various models for telepharmacy services.
There are two models of telepharmacy in the US: North Dakota Telepharmacy and Washington State Model. In these models, pharmacists use video-conferencing to give instructions to technicians, and pharmacists activate automatic dispensing systems from a base site for authorized personnel to dispense at a remote site. Australia also has a Rural Clinic Model of Telepharmacy, which allows non-pharmacist professionals to provide pharmaceutical services.
In all the telepharmacy models mentioned, the dispensing stage is divided into five steps: 1.) Prescription, 2.) Prescription Entry and Verification, 3.) Dispensing Process, 4.) Dispensing Verification, and 5.) Patient Counseling. The pharmacists are responsible for patient counseling in all three models.
According to a study by Westerlund and Marklund (2009) in Sweden, involving 151 patients, when pharmacists are involved in primary care, 68 patients (13%) were saved from drug related problems and 16 patients (3%) were saved from future hospitalizations.
According to M. Kimber et al (2006), various aspects make up quality pharmaceutical services. These include the dispensing, supply, and distribution of medicines as well as providing knowledge and information about drugs, with a main emphasis on promoting and ensuring the quality use of medicines (QUM). Furthermore, quality pharmaceutical services involve delivering pharmaceutical care where pharmacists address patients’ drug-related needs in order to assist them in achieving their desired health outcomes.
The Telepharmacy service enables the provision of efficient pharmaceutical care to patients who are geographically separated. This contribution not only benefits the overall practice of Pharmacy but also aligns with the primary objective of pharmacists being proficient in medication usage and an essential component of the healthcare system. Moreover, telepharmacy presents a notable advantage to remote healthcare facilities by offering their workers access to this service.
The main objective of tele-pharmacies is to offer extensive coverage in regions with limited pharmacies and enhance revenue for pharmacy operators (Riley, 2010). The idea of telepharmacy arrangements has been suggested as a means for smaller rural hospitals with limited pharmacist availability to access additional pharmacist resources (Lordan, Vorhees, and Richards, 2002; Peterson et al, 2007). Given that half of the Philippine population resides in rural and remote communities, it is crucial to prioritize the provision of sufficient and high-quality pharmaceutical care in these areas.
According to the Report of the Commission on the Future Care in Canada by Romanow (2002), telepharmacy, a component of telehealth, is seen as an approach to enhance healthcare access for rural and remote communities. Telepharmacy involves video cameras that allow a registered pharmacist to supervise the activities of a pharmacy technician. Additionally, the remote pharmacy is typically connected to central pharmacy software to facilitate seamless operations and guarantee prompt and accurate delivery (Riley, 2010).
Due to the advancements in telecommunication technology, counseling pharmacists can now easily provide patient care from a distance. Although the adoption of telepharmacy has been gradual, the combination of available technology and a renewed interest in a new pharmacy practice model has created an ideal situation for telepharmacy to thrive.
(Fahrni, 2012) Telepharmacy provides a distinct advantage in addressing medication queries through telephone. By eliminating communication barriers, it enables patients to discuss personal and confidential issues without any hindrances. Louderback’s (2007) study reveals that situations like having to travel long distances for appointments not only consume time but also incur expenses. These factors influence patients to opt for treatments that may result in poorer control of chronic health conditions, particularly among elderly individuals residing in remote towns.
Research suggests that rural elders face challenges accessing prescription medications due to economic pressures and geographic barriers (Collins, 2007). This highlights the need for telepharmacy to improve the management of chronic conditions and reduce the costs associated with transporting patients for medication treatment, particularly for those who experience drug-related issues. By addressing various factors, telepharmacy can help prevent medication errors.
In the Philippines, Telepharmacy is not widely recognized due to several factors that hinder its successful operation. Additionally, the country is still far from fully implementing this service. However, the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore has suggested guidelines for operating a Telepharmacy service effectively. These guidelines aim to establish a framework for implementing Telepharmacy services in remote rural communities, which lack access to adequate medical services, with the goal of restoring and maintaining retail and hospital pharmacy services.
According to C. Peterson, H. Anderson et al. in 2004, telepharmacy services offer the same level of quality as traditional pharmacy services, while also providing additional value-added features that are not typically found in traditional pharmacy practice. Having studied pharmacy allows individuals to develop various skills, some of which are specific to the role of a pharmacist. Skills refer to the ability to effectively apply one’s knowledge in practical situations. Practice, as defined by Merriam Webster in 1995, involves applying knowledge repeatedly to become proficient or professionally engaged.
Synthesis methods of giving information have become popular in developing countries. The North Dakota Telepharmacy Project, established in 2002, aimed to provide pharmacy services in medically underserved rural communities through telepharmacy technology. This project recognized the use of telepharmacy and offered pharmacists and business owners the chance to enhance both their professional and financial aspects of their operations (Boudjouk). Furthermore, a comparison study by D mentioned this telepharmacy project.
Friesner, et al (2011) found that telepharmacy in remote pharmacy sites has a lower medication error rate compared to community pharmacies without this technology. The study suggests that increased use of technology can reduce medication errors. Telepharmacy has become more user-friendly with advancements in computer technology, videoconferencing, and voice over IP (VoIP) technology, as well as the widespread availability of internet access and mobile computing. When combined with improvements in pharmacy automation and pharmacy technician practice, telepharmacy can effectively contribute to the development of a new practice model.
Fahrani (2009) states that researchers agree with a study by D. Friesner et al, confirming the potential of telepharmacy in reducing medication errors. However, their own study aims to assess the readiness of Community Pharmacists in the Philippines to implement the North Dakota Telepharmacy Program. Unlike previous research that solely examined medication error rates at pharmacy sites with and without telepharmacy, this proposed study focuses on implementation preparedness.
The proposed study aims to emphasize the important role of pharmacists in promoting the adoption of Telepharmacy in the Philippines. This approach helps ensure that patients who are far away can receive efficient pharmaceutical services. By providing registered pharmacists with the necessary training, they can deliver a telepharmacy experience that is equivalent to traditional in-person pharmacy services. Previous research by Fahrani and Boudjouk has shown the positive impact and effectiveness of telepharmacy, especially in community settings.
Advancements in technology, particularly the development of telepharmacy services, have greatly contributed to the growth of pharmacy practice. Researchers are currently conducting a study to assess the efficiency of registered pharmacists in delivering telepharmacy service. Pharmacists adhere to a code of professional ethics that guides their interactions with colleagues, healthcare professionals, and the public. Possessing a strong sense of responsibility and effective communication skills with other healthcare professionals and the general public are essential for pharmacists.
Pharmacists require skills that improve patient healthcare quality. A licensed pharmacist has the responsibility of fulfilling their tasks and duties, making it essential for them to possess professional, technical, and communication abilities in order to deliver outstanding service.
Prior to offering services, pharmacists must ensure that patients are acquainted with and at ease using Telepharmacy technology. Pharmacists need to actively work towards altering patient expectations and behaviors concerning obligatory patient education counseling. This should be a customary practice in pharmacy regardless of its method of delivery.
It is essential for patients to engage with pharmacists during counseling, as it indicates their education and ultimately leads to adherence (Peterson and Anderson, 2004). The field of Pharmacy has undergone significant transformation due to technological advancements, leading to the emergence of telepharmacy. This groundbreaking method facilitates the rapid transmission of information to patients.
Telepharmacy has brought about positive changes to counseling operations in various countries, facilitating clients’ access to information and services. Consequently, internal costs have decreased. To successfully execute the Telepharmacy program, it is crucial to take into account the viewpoints of community pharmacists who are instrumental in serving patients residing in distant regions and ensuring their optimal access to pharmacy services.
The implementation of telepharmacy is seen as important by a pharmacist who believes in its goals. It is believed that telepharmacy can improve healthcare efficiency in underserved areas and help reduce medication errors in countries with a small number of pharmacists. Telepharmacy is seen as an ideal method of counseling, although achieving it in its entirety may be difficult. In order to make telepharmacy a reality, it is necessary for the Pharmacy boards’ commission to take action. This is the conceptual paradigm of the study.
Statement of the Problem: This study seeks to examine the perception of community pharmacists regarding their preparedness in delivering the Telepharmacy service. The researchers will collect data by utilizing questionnaires that address different queries. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions: 1. How do community pharmacists define ‘Telepharmacy’? 2. What are the necessary requirements for operating a Telepharmacy service? 3. How do community pharmacists perceive their own readiness to engage in Telepharmacy?
1. Professional Skills
2. Technical Skills
3. Communication Skills
4. What other ways can the program be developed?
5. What is the relationship between the demographic profile of the pharmacist and their skills?
5.1 Age
5.2 Gender
5.3 Civil status
Hypothesis: Medicinal compliance of patients increases with the utilization of effective telepharmacy service delivered by Pharmacists capable of successfully carrying out the procedures of the program.
Accordingly, Telepharmacy will pave a way for a much more systemic & effective drug information dispensing to patients at a distance.
By understanding the perception of pharmacists regarding their readiness for telepharmacy, the significance of this study lies in its potential to enhance the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines. The establishment of pharmacists as vital contributors to optimal healthcare delivery will be facilitated, as their expertise in drug information will be accessible remotely through telepharmacy.
The program offers a solution to the shortage of pharmacists in remote towns and the obstacles that hinder quality pharmaceutical services, such as geographical barriers, transportation issues, and medicine availability. The researchers aim to assess community pharmacists’ self-evaluation of the essential skills needed for efficient Telepharmacy and healthcare services for patients regardless of their location.
The study focuses on community pharmacists in Las Pinas and their understanding of Telepharmacy. It aims to determine the pharmacists’ perception of Telepharmacy and its components. Telepharmacy is defined as the use of telecommunication technology to provide drug information to patients remotely. A licensed pharmacist is someone who has completed their education and passed a state licensing examination.
Remote Site is a fully functional pharmacy operated by a registered pharmacy technician. It is equipped with computer, audio, and video technology that allows for communication with a licensed pharmacist located at a central pharmacy site. The remote site is similar to an originating site, which is where the patient is located.
Central Site refers to a pharmacy that has a registered pharmacist who is trained to dispense P medicines and POM through telepharmacy. This means that the pharmacist can provide services remotely using various communication technologies.
A Telepharmacist is a licensed pharmacist responsible for reviewing medication orders, overseeing the dispensing process by pharmacy assistants, and providing patient counseling through telephone and other communication technologies.
