From Cosmetic Abuse to Clinical Mismanagement: A National Simulated Patient Study Assessing Community Pharmacists’ Stewardship of Topical Corticosteroids in Jordan

<b>Background:</b> Topical Corticosteroids (TCS) are potent therapeutic agents associated with severe local and systemic adverse effects if misused. In Jordan, the unauthorized supply of TCS for cosmetic purposes and the mismanagement of dermatological conditions remain significant public health concerns. This study utilized a repeated-measures simulated patient (SP) methodology to evaluate community pharmacists' stewardship of TCS across a spectrum of clinical risks. <b>Methods:</b> A national cross-sectional study was conducted across 380 randomly selected community pharmacies in Jordan. Each pharmacy received four covert visits (N = 1520) corresponding to four distinct clinical scenarios representing different risk levels: cosmetic whitening, acne management, fungal infection, and pediatric diaper rash. The primary outcome was appropriate Practice, defined as the refusal to dispense unsafe medication or the provision of evidence-based alternatives. <b>Results:</b> Stewardship behavior varied significantly by clinical context (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Pharmacists demonstrated a hierarchy of safety, adhering to guidelines most strictly in the Pediatric scenario (82.1% appropriate refusal) but frequently abandoning safety standards in the Cosmetic scenario (30.0% appropriate refusal). Notably, 70.0% of pharmacists dispensed potent steroids for facial whitening, and 26.1% voluntarily offered to compound unauthorized steroid mixtures (<i>Khaltat</i>). In the acne scenario, 52.1% dispensed the contraindicated TCS, while only 37.9% appropriately switched the patient to an evidence-based alternative. In the fungal scenario, 60.0% failed to visually inspect the lesion, leading to a 40.0% rate of inappropriate TCS dispensing. Multivariable regression indicated that pharmacists working in chain pharmacies (aOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.68-2.75) and those holding advanced degrees (PharmD/MSc) (aOR > 1.38) were significantly more likely to practice appropriate TCS stewardship. High workload (>200 prescriptions/day) was a significant barrier to safety (aOR: 0.55). <b>Conclusions:</b> Community pharmacists in Jordan exhibited selective TCS stewardship, demonstrating high vigilance for pediatric safety, but widespread illegal practice regarding cosmetic misuse and differential diagnosis that may be unethical. The study results warrant the need for further urgent research to understand why these practices are occurring and how best to address them.