The incentivized drug information services among community pharmacists: A multi-centre cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists should provide qualified drug information services for the rational use of medicine in community. However, there is no standard professional incentive for the service in Indonesia. This study aimed to assess drug information services with incentives and its associated factors among community pharmacists in Indonesia. Method: A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Medan City, Bandung City, Bandung Regency, and Makassar City. A validated online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on pharmacists' demographics, pharmacy characteristics, and drug information provision practices. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with incentivized drug information services. Results: A total of 639 community pharmacists participated, with representation from Medan (21.9%), Bandung City (20.8%), Bandung Regency (26%), and Makassar (31.3%). Most respondents were female (79%) with a median age of 31 years (IQR: 9). Only 12% of pharmacists reported receiving incentives for providing drug information services. Factors significantly associated with receiving incentives included being male (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16-3.58), aged 20-30 years (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.10-9.58), working over 40 hours per week (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.16-4.58), working in a chain pharmacy (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.18-3.67), and having an onsite physician practice (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.85). Conclusion: Limited number of community pharmacists received an incentive for drug information services. The development of a remuneration system for drug information services can be considered to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical care services in the community setting.