A SURVEY OF DRUG DISPENSING IN PRIVATE PHARMACIES OF BENGHAZI, LIBYA; A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY

This cross-sectional survey studies the patterns of drug dispensing, identifies the extent of drug dispensing without a prescription, studies the methods, times, and improper refilling of prescriptions at pharmacies in the city of Benghazi,Libya, and whenever possible, study how close the obtained results are from the available published. A random sample of 16 private pharmacies located in different areas of Benghazi was chosen, and data was collected at each pharmacy for one week from 4 pm to 8 pm the study lasted one month, the study sample was 1210 subjects. A drug dispensing questionnaire form was designed and filled out. The obtained forms were analysed to study the pattern of drug dispensing in Benghazi. The percentage of dispensing drugs with a prescription, and without a prescription was computed for the respondents, medications were dispensed with a prescription for (49%) of the respondents, while (51%) of medication dispensing occurred without a prescription. In conclusion this study reveals an extensive supply of medicines, both prescription and nonprescription, in the city of Benghazi and that Libya does not follow official regulations for controlling drug dispensing. Educational and managerial interventions should restrict inappropriate dispensing, improving the dispenser’s knowledge, professional behavior, and attitude