Pharmacy workforce in Myanmar public sector

Abstract

Objective: Pharmacist shortage in Myanmar was recognized, but previous local study was unavailable. This study aimed to analyze Myanmar’s pharmacist workforce situation focusing on public sector. Materials and Methods: Mixed method combining secondary data analysis and face-to-face interview was used. The government human resources registry databases were used as data sources. The pharmacist density, the pharmacist distributions in public-private sector, across geographic region, and across settings were analyzed. In-depth interview was conducted to explored current and future roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in public setting. Results: The findings showed that pharmacist density was 0.73 per 10,000 population. This ratio was 7 times lower than the International Pharmaceutical Federation 2015–2017 survey. Pharmacists were clustered in big states: Mandalay, Yangon, and Naypyitaw. Only 15% of pharmacists worked in the public sector. Skill shortage was predominantly found in hospital rather than other settings. Hospital pharmacists focused on procurement and inventory management, but rarely performed clinical functions. Conclusions: The numerical, distribution, and skill shortages of pharmacist workforce were identified in the public sector. To further expand pharmacist function, the government must prepare to increase the number of pharmacists and empower them to perform necessary omitted functions. Pharmacist workforce utilizing supply-based approach is needed for human resource planning.