EVALUATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE SERVICES FOR ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY PROVIDED IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN TURKEY

Objective: Antithrombotic drugs are high risk drugs used in treatment of various conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of pharmaceutical care activities related to antithrombotic therapy management and the attitudes of community pharmacists in this area. Material and Method: 321 pharmacists from 53 provinces of Turkey completed this cross-sectional self-administered web-based survey. The questionnaire consisted of yes/no, closed-ended multiple choice, semi-closed multiple choice, 0-100 rating and 5-point Likert scale questions. Results: 21.84 ± 1.05% of the pharmaceutical care services provided by pharmacists were directed toward patients using antithrombotic drugs. 99.1% of pharmacists provided information on more than one antithrombotic drug. Only 33.0% of the pharmacists reported that their knowledge on antithrombotic drugs was adequate. There was a weak positive correlation between the pharmacists’ level of knowledge and various pharmaceutical care services provided. Although pharmacists don’t think that 82.2% of patients have enough knowledge about treatments, 85.7% don’t hand out written information to patients. Other drugs (88.8%), age (78.8%), health literacy (72.9%) and education status (71.7%) were the most frequently considered factors while providing pharmaceutical care services. There was a weak positive correlation between pharmacist's perceived value for pharmacy services by other healthcare professionals and frequency of communication with physicians for possible treatment problems. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a framework for pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists in the management of antithrombotic therapy in Turkey. The improvement of community pharmacy services may contribute to the increase of safe and effective antithrombotic drug use in our country