A survey on the recent scenario of model pharmacies in Dhaka city

Abstract

The "Model Pharmacy" initiative was initiated in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW) of Bangladesh, aiming to improve the country's whole healthcare system to remove all types of inappropriate dispensing practices. According to DGDA, a model pharmacy must follow certain norms and regulations on personnel management, premises management, dispensing system, medicine storage, and documentation. The surveyed information was based on 25 essential criteria selected from DGDA guidelines. These included having A-grade pharmacists, ADR reporting, a separate counseling room, prescription drug selling, expiration checking, seating and washroom facilities, and customer unawareness. Unfortunately, the result did not meet the objective as 0% of pharmacies have a "No Smoking" signage and ADR reporting system. Several criteria result in less than or equal to 10% of fulfillment. To ensure the initiative of "Model Pharmacy" is a practical and effective step in Bangladesh, Model Pharmacies must be monitored frequently, and required measures to be taken strictly.