30JUN

Welcome To MJPPS

The editors welcome the submission of relevant articles for editorial consideration. Manuscripts should be addressed to editor@medjpps.com.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
https://ppj.org.ly/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo15650755

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Original article

Range of cardiovascular medications dispensing practice without a prescription: A cross-section study on pharmacists at community pharmacies in Libya

Naeimah S. Sulayman Aboulqassim, Abdulmalek O. Alterkawy, Balkess M. Alhosny, Fatima A. Alqtany, Othman A. Alawamy, Zainab M. El.mabri

Downloads: 0
Views: 245

Abstract

Proper administration of medication for individuals with cardiovascular diseases requires critical actions. However, the irrational use of cardiovascular medications has increased. This study was designed to evaluate the range of pharmacists’ commitment in the City of Derna, East Libya, to dispensing cardiovascular medications without a prescription. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at pharmacies in Derna City in December 2024. Standardized self-reported questionnaires assessed the self-reported practices on the cross-section component.70 pharmacists from 52 pharmacies that were contacted took part in the survey with equal gender distribution and mean age of 26-35 years. In general, the present self-reported survey revealed that most of the respondents identified cardiovascular medicines class (81.4%), the majority of the participants did not dispense cardiovascular medications by any means (67.1%) and nearly 71.4% of the participants need a prescription to obtain these medications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were often prescribed cardiovascular medicines at pharmacies, according to the respondents (28.6%). Besides, 51.6% of the participants advised visiting a physician and more than half of the responses encouraged routine checkups (50.8%). Cardiovascular medications are rarely dispensed without a prescription. The majority of the pharmacies approached did not readily provide cardiovascular medications. These outcomes may be the result of regional and municipal regulations as well as careful oversight and management by regulatory agencies.

Keywords

Cardiovascular drugs, Derna City, dispensing, pharmacists, prescription-only drugs 

References

  1. Gilbert L. To diagnose, prescribe and dispense: whose right is it? The ongoing struggle between pharmacy and medicine in South Africa. Current Sociology. 2001; 49(3): 97-118. doi: 10.1177/0011392101049003007
  2. Drug Administration and Control Authority. Good Dispensing Practice Manual. Addis Ababa, 2005. doi: Nil.
  3. Wiedenmayer K, Summers RS, Mackie CA, Gous AG, Everard M, Tromp D. Developing pharmacy practice: A focus on patient care. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2006. Index. decimal: QV 704 06DEV; NLM.
  4. Sherif FM. An evaluation of the prescribing patterns of drugs in Libya. Jamahiriya Medical Journal. 2008; 8(2): 203-206. doi: Nil.
  5. Khalil JR, Regaey FN, Aburawi SM. Exploration of drug-drug interaction in prescriptions of Libyan practitioners in community pharmacies. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(4): 18-25. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10125879
  6. El yamani MA, Sherif FM. Assessment of drug prescribing pattern and prescription errors in elderly patients. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2021; 1(2): 46-50. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.5171325
  7. Mansour M, Alkadi AE, Alnayif HA, Otannish S. Assessment of knowledge and awareness of community pharmacist toward epilepsy. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; 2(3): 17-23. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7115139
  8. Wuemura J. Effect of separation of medical dispensary services. JCER researcher report. 36. 2004.
  9. Boshhiha AM, Boshaiha ZM, Yousuf AT, Sad HA. Use of over-the-counter medications among adolescents. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2021; 1(4): 9-14. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.5805918
  10. Benkhaial A, Ibzaew I, Elkezza S, Ahmed H, Abdulkader Y. Common errors in writing of prescription in Benghazi. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; 2 (3): 7-11. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7115118
  11. Elkbuli GL, Draidi RA. Prevalence of self-medication phenomenon with antibiotics among university pharmacy students. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2021; 1(4): 44-49. doi: Nil.
  12. Maraldi C, Lattanzio F, Onder G, Gallerani M, Bustacchini S, De Tommaso G, Volpato S. Variability in the prescription of cardiovascular medications in older patients. Drugs Aging. 2009; 26(1): 41-51. doi: 10.2165/ 11534650-000000000-00000
  13. Sun R, Lu L, Zheng Y, Zhang P. Congenital heart disease: Causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatments. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2015; 72(3): 857-860. doi: 10.1007/s12013-015-0551-6
  14. Elmiladi SA, Elgdhafi EO. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Libyan patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(2): 27-33. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7877416
  15. Alssageer MA, Hassan AO, Rajab MO. Descriptive analysis to use the community pharmacy by patients and customers. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2021; 1(4): 59-66. doi: 10.5281/ zenodo.5806134
  16. Alssageer MA, Saad MM, Mosbah OM. Prevalence of comorbidities, polypharmacy and drug related problems among hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(1): 51-63. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7771698
  17. Alssageer MA, Sherif FM, Mohammed ES, Abd Alsalm SA. Patterns of drug-prescribed and drug-related problems among hospitalized elderly patients. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; 2(2): 64-76. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.6780506
  18. Jamiu MO, Maiha BB, Danjuma NM, Giwa A. Educational intervention on knowledge of hypertension and lifestyle/dietary modification among hypertensive patients attending a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024; 4(1): 1-11. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10535778
  19. Elfituri AA, Sherif FM. Novel clinical pharmacy practice: Extended role and improved competencies. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; 2(1): 1-3. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.6397651
  20. Ibraheim ER, Alshaiby WM, Ishrayhah MA, Ghnaia MA, Elozi MK. Assessment of knowledge and attitude of pharmacists toward the side effects of anesthetics in patients with hypertension: A cross-sectional study. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(4): 97-105. doi: 10.5281/zenodo. 10443250
  21. Alssageer MA, Khattab BF, Bakouri AH. Physicians' attitudes, expectations, and experiences about clinical pharmacists and the barriers they have in developing a collaborative relationship with them. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024; 4(3): 27-38. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.13324209
  22. Sendekie AK, Netere AK. Multicenter cross-sectional study on perceptions and roles of community pharmacists in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disorders in Northwest Ethiopia. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice. 2022; 11: 21-31. doi: 10.2147/IPRP.S348260
  23. Waterfeld J. Community Pharmacy Handbook, 2008; 304. Pharmaceutical Press. ISBN-10: 9780853697169.
  24. Paul SK. Assessment of knowledge and attitude of adverse drug reactions among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2025; 5(2): 70-78. doi: 10.5281/ zenodo.15275065
  25. Rafi IK, Rahman MdM. A study about factors related to the degree of knowledge regarding hypertension in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research. 2025; 02: 1-5. doi.10.5281/zenodo. 15091123
  26. Meerah WAA. Evaluation of self-medication with antibiotics in Libyan community. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(1): 77-81. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7771724
  27. Erku DA, Mekuria AB, Surur AS, Gebresillassie BM. Extent of dispensing prescription-only medications without a prescription in community drug retail outlets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a simulated-patient study. Drug Healthcare and Patient Safety. 2016; 8: 65-70. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S106948
  28. Sabry NA, Farid SF, Dawoud DM. Antibiotic dispensing in Egyptian community pharmacies: an observational study. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2014; 10(1): 168-184. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2013. 03.004.
  29. Al-Mohamadi A, Badr A, Bin Mahfouz L, Samargandi D, Al Ahdal A. Dispensing medications without prescription at Saudi community pharmacy: Extent and perception. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2013; 21(1): 13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2011.11.003
  30. Dameh M, Norris P, Green J. New Zealand pharmacists’ experiences, practices and views regarding antibiotic use without prescription. Journal of Primary Health Care. 2012; 4(2): 131-140. PMID: 22675697.
  31. Ayalew E, Seid Y, Agalu A. Knowledge, attitude and practice of patient medication counseling among drug dispensers in Mekele town, Northern Ethiopia. International Research Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2014; 4(2): 28-34. doi: 10.14303/irjpp.2013.039
  32. Rashed AN, Whittlesea C, Forbes B, Tomlin S. The feasibility of using dose-banded syringes to improve the safety and availability of patient-controlled opioid analgesic infusions in children. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 2014; 21(5): 306-308. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2014-000441
  33. Saha S. Evaluation of medicines dispensing pattern of private pharmacies in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. BMC Health Services Research. 2017; 17(1): 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2072-z
  34. Al-Mohamadi A, Badr A, Bin Mahfouz L, Samargandi D, Al Ahdal A. Dispensing medications without prescription at Saudi community pharmacy: extent and perception. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2013; 21(1) :13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2011.11.003
  35. Hammad J, Qusa H, Aljeesh Y. The dispensing practice of the over-the-counter drugs in the Gaza Strip. IUG Journal of Natural and Engineering Studies. 2012; 20(1): 31-39. Record ID: BIM-284098.
  36. Sherif FM. Education and practice of pharmacy in Libya. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; 2(3): 1-2. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7115078
  37. Alsharif SM, Elmezughi SO, Sherif FM. Implementation of good pharmacy practice standards; a step forward in Libya's pharmacies Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine. 2020; 2(4): 377-380. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.4095782 
  38. Sendekie AK., Ergena AE, Belachew EA, Kasahun AE, Teklie MT, Netere AK. Extent of cardiovascular medications dispensing practice without a prescription: Self-reported and simulated patient-based study at community pharmacies in Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice. 2023; 16: 28. doi: 10.1186/s40545-023-00533-4

Submitted date:
04/25/2025

Reviewed date:
06/08/2025

Accepted date:
06/12/2025

Publication date:
06/12/2025

684b07a2a953956ded5a3428 medjpps Articles
Links & Downloads

Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci

Share this page
Page Sections