A prática farmacêutica em drogarias do estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Considering Brazilian private community pharmacies' accessibility to the public, Pharmaceutical Services (PS) must be responsibly, ethically and integrally provided in such establishments, following the Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) in Community Pharmacies. This qualitative descriptive research aims to understand how PSis developed in private community pharmacies from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, through the application of online questionnaires and interviews with pharmacists working at such establishments. Data analysis followed Content Analysis by Bardin, with the help of software IRAMUTEQ. 113 questionnaires were answered by pharmacists, among which 34 met the inclusion criteria and from these, 12 agreed to be interviewed.From the empirical material, two major categories of analysis were formed: "Pharmacists' professional training and working conditions in private community pharmacies" and "Pharmaceutical Services in private community pharmacies of Minas Gerais". Pharmacists' work routine activities were listed and GPP was recognized as a fundamental norm to be accomplished. Challenges and potentialities around PS development in such health facilities were discussed. The findings pointed out that the interviewed pharmacists were interested in qualifying themselves in continuing education initiatives and that they recognize care as the main purpose of their professional practice in the referred establishments. Also, pharmacists consider themselves important healthcare providers from primary care to post-prescription follow-up.However, it is indicated that aspects like low salaries, extensive workload, the relationship between pharmacists, patients and pharmacy team members, as well as commercial and infrastructure issues, are compromising barriers to the PS development in private community pharmacies.