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Review
. 2021 Jan;17(1):2023-2026.
doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.007. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Medication management and adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives and experiences from low-and middle-income countries

Irene A Kretchy  1 , Michelle Asiedu-Danso  2 , James-Paul Kretchy  3
Affiliations
Review

Medication management and adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives and experiences from low-and middle-income countries

Irene A Kretchy et al. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is placing a huge strain on health systems worldwide. Suggested solutions like social distancing and lockdowns in some areas to help contain the spread of the virus may affect special patient populations like those with chronic illnesses who are unable to access healthcare facilities for their routine care and medicines management. Retail pharmacy outlets are the likely facilities for easy access by these patients. The contribution of community pharmacists in these facilities to manage chronic conditions and promote medication adherence during this COVID-19 pandemic will be essential in easing the burden on already strained health systems. This paper highlights the pharmaceutical care practices of community pharmacists for patients with chronic diseases during this pandemic. This would provide support for the call by the WHO to maintain essential services during the pandemic, in order to prevent non-COVID disease burden on healthcare systems particularly in low-and middle-income countries.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chronic diseases; Community pharmacists; LMICs; Medication adherence; Pharmaceutical care.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Role of community pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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