World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

EVALUATION THE AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS TOWARD THE RISKS OF DRUGS USE DURING PREGNANCY IN JORDAN

*Sheraf Almahawish, Imtiaz Alshawabkh, Ali Alrashaydah and Qais Suliman

ABSTRACT

Background: Community Pharmacists (CP) have a great responsibility to improve drug use mainly among pregnant patients in their community. Many studies on the safety of medication during pregnancy were focus on teratogenic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the respondents knowledge regarding drug safety during pregnancy period. Methods: An online study of 110 community pharmacists using a questionnaire will be perform during December 2021. The survey contained 27 questions, which will carry out in community pharmacies across Jordan. This questionnaire has three sections: demographic characteristics, response toward safety of prescribed drug and response toward safety of OTC drugs during pregnancy. Results: Only 100 community pharmacists response the survey. The majority of them (70%) considered alprazolam to be unsafe, while 15% of CPs consider it was used based on the risk-benefit. The majority of respondents (55%) showed amoxicillin is safe, but below than tenth showed(4%) that isotretinoin should only be used if the potential benefits could outweigh the risks. Among the unregistered analgesics, the majority of them (92.6%) knew that paracetamol is not teratogenic. Regarding multivitamins supplements half of pharmacists showed that vitamin A supplements are unsafe. Conclusion: Community pharmacist need more healthy programs to increase their knowledge toward using medications during pregnancy period. Pharmacy association have to give continuous education program to all pharmacists about teratogencity of medications.

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