Pharmacists’ Awareness of COVID-19 and Perceptions of their Roles,
Barriers, and Roles of Policymakers: exploring the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA)
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was declared in January
2020 as a public health emergency of international concern. The Middle
East and North Africa (MENA), like other parts of the world, suffered
from several epidemics over the years. Pharmacists have vital roles to
play to prevent the spread of this virus. Objectives: To assess the
awareness of COVID-19 amongst pharmacists from countries located in the
MENA countries, and to assess their perspectives of their role,
barriers, and roles of the educational institutions and pharmaceutical
associations in preparing them for their roles during the pandemic.
Methods: An online survey was conducted to run a descriptive
cross-sectional study in Jordan from 12th to 22th April 2020. The
questionnaire was validated and put on Facebook for pharmacists’
recruitment and assessment of their awareness (20 questions with a score
out of 20) about epidemics/pandemics and COVID-19, their perceived roles
and barriers, and roles of the educational institutions and
pharmaceutical associations. Data were analyzed using Statistical
Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Results: Study participants (n=
2589) had a mean age of 29.3 (8.2) years and 1329 (51.5%) were females.
Most of the participants were from Egypt 819 (40.8%), Followed by
Jordan, Algeria, and Syria. As for the sources of information about
coronavirus treatment among the study participants, 60.8% got their
information from the social media. Fear as a consequence was identified
by the majority of participants (87.7%). The majority of pharmacists
identified positive roles for the pharmaceutical association and
pharmaceutical associations. Conclusion: Pharmacists from the MENA
countries believe they got enough education previously about
epidemics/pandemics, and the majority follow on the latest coronavirus
updates from social media. Fear was reported as the major barrier that
requires resolution by the policymakers. Certain gaps in the awareness
about COVID-19 were identified.