Knowledge, Attitude, and the Practice of Community Pharmacists to Dispense Opioid-Related and Opioid-Containing Medication in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: This study was done to evaluate the knowledge of community pharmacists-working in Saudi Arabia-regarding over-the-counter opioid-related and opioid-containing medications.

Materials and methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed through social media and taken to the community pharmacists in person. A total of 101 responders were reached in a period of around 3 weeks.

Results: Most of the pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia are non-Saudi (85.15%), males (88.12%), and the majority are holders of bachelor's degrees (85.15%). More than half of the participants spend a considerably sufficient time with the patient 6-10 minutes (60.4%). The availability of a private counseling room in community pharmacies is significantly low (21.78%). Only (69.41%) of participants always counsel the patient before dispensing opioid-related medications. Most of the participants (84.76%) believe that all over-the-counter opioid-related and opioid-containing medications should be restricted to avoid drug abuse.

Conclusion: A little neglect from pharmacists' side regarding dispensing such medications was observed; thus, there is a significant need to raise their awareness regarding over-the-counter opioid abuse.