Assessing competencies in medication risk management among community pharmacists

Abstract

Background: Medication risk management is essential in community pharmacy, particularly with increasing drug regimen complexity, aging populations, and polypharmacy. Community pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring medication safety; however, gaps in competencies persist, particularly in managing high-risk medications. Understanding pharmacists' self-reported competence in medication risk management is crucial in identifying areas requiring further training and education. Objective: This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' competencies in medication risk management, with a specific focus on high-risk medications, identifying areas where further training and guideline development are needed. Method: A structured questionnaire was developed and validated to assess community pharmacists' self-reported competencies in medication risk management. The questionnaire evaluated community pharmacists' ability to use evidence-based information and tools, proficiency in identifying medication-related problems, and competence in managing side effects, contraindications and drug-drug interactions. It also assessed pharmacists' perceived training needs and preferred training methods. Responses were measured using a Likert scale. Results: A total of 102 community pharmacists participated in the study; 67% were female, and 28% were aged between 31-40 years. Most participants were employed f ull-time and 28% had five years or less experience as community pharmacists. When pharmacists' competence in using evidence-based tools was assessed, 51% of pharmacists reported a very good level of competence, while 26% rated themselves as excellent. Competence in managing side effects, contraindications, and drug-drug interactions varied across different drug classes. The highest self-reported competence was in NSAIDs, with 65% rating their competence as very good or excellent in understanding side effects, 60% for contraindications, and 57% for drug-drug interactions. In contrast, the lowest competence was reported for methotrexate, with 37% rating their competence as poor or fair in understanding its side effects, 54% for contraindications, and 56% for drug-drug interactions. When asked about further training needs, 79% agreed or strongly agreed that additional education is needed in identifying medication risks, while 78% supported enhanced t raining in developing and implementing risk management strategies. Additionally, 73% expressed a need for further education on adverse drug reactions and medication errors. Online training was the preferred learning method for 68% of pharmacists, followed by webinars (48%), with 44% favouring training sessions of one to two hours. Conclusion: Findings highlight key competency gaps in pharmacists' knowledge of high-risk medications as well as other medication risk management fields, emphasising the need for targeted training and structured guidelines. Developing opportunities for continuous professional development addressing areas that are identified by practitioners through self-reporting needs supports pharmacist empowerment and confidence. These initiatives not only enhance competencies but also empower pharmacists to adopt a more patient-centred approach, enhancing the quality of care provided.