Introduction: Banned and harmful medicines can affect patient’s health, safety and life. There are two medicines available in Aden community pharmacies (phenolphthalein (PP) and ketoconazole (KZ)) that are globally banned. The objective of this study was to evaluate the availability and dispensing of banned phenolphthalein and ketoconazole by community pharmacists. Methods: A preliminary cross-sectional simulated patients method was carried out. The study gathered data on dispensing behavior. Simulated patients were trained to access the availability of banned drugs existing in the community pharmacies (CP). The availability of these two banned drugs was observed and recorded. The pharmacists were asked about the availability of a PP laxative for treating constipation called in Yemen a khat laxative (Sharbat Alkhat) and KZ for fungal infections in 50 convenient samples of CPs that were selected based on ease of access by the simulated patients. Results: PP was found in 3/50 (6%) pharmacies, while 31/50 (62%) pharmacies kept KZ in the premise. Conclusion: The availability of these drugs in Yemeni pharmacies is worrisome. It can affect the safety of the public.

Rationale, aims and objectives: The participation of all health professionals is essential for ensuring a quality and successful national postmarketing surveillance program. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among Yemeni community pharmacists (CPs) regarding medication safety in a poor-resource setting. Methods: A survey was conducted among CPs in Aden governorate. The tool comprised of: demographic profile, knowledge-, attitude- and practice-aspects of medication safety. The survey also studied the opinion about future and benefits of ADR reporting in Yemen. The data collected from the questionnaires was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means (SD) were used in the analysis. Results: A total of 450 CPs were enrolled in the study. Most of the participants were males (75%) with a bachelor’s degree (91.9%) and between 3-6 years of experience (28%). The majority of CPs had good knowledge regarding the perception and objectives of PV as well as ADRs. Approximately 41% of participants knew the purpose of PV as an essential system for public health and safety with regard to drug use. Additionally, the Yemeni pharmacists had a positive attitude towards the reporting system. Approximately 84% of responders admitted that PV is the responsibility of the pharmacists. The majority of the participants (80%) declared that there is no reporting form available at their workplace. According to CPs, 59% said that ADR reporting in Yemen is not widely promoted by relevant authorities, and 57% replied that lack of information provided by the patient is an obstacle in the reporting system. Approximately 89% of the CPs believed that reporting ADRs would improve patient safety. Conclusions: The CPs have a positive attitude towards PV and an acceptable degree of knowledge. However, the practice level should be upraised.