Opportunities and challenges associated with the launch of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study to explore community pharmacists' perspectives.

Autor:	Dahri K; Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC., Sinclair Formerly MacNeil K; Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC., Piszczek J; BC COVID Therapeutics Committee, Vancouver, BC., Wilbur K; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC., Wong B; BC Pharmacy Association, Vancouver, BC., Kuo IF; BC Ministry of Health, Government of Canada, Victoria, BC., Marra F; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Canadian pharmacists journal : CPJ = Revue des pharmaciens du Canada : RPC [Can Pharm J (Ott)] 2024 Nov 15, pp. 17151635241288577. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 15.
DOI:	10.1177/17151635241288577
Abstrakt:	Background: In February 2022, a novel antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), was approved by Health Canada and made available to patients in British Columbia (BC). BC community pharmacists did not prescribe nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, but dispensing involved a detailed assessment with close attention to drug-drug interactions and patient monitoring. As the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir service was unique in BC, and not all pharmacists participated in the program, it is important to evaluate the perspectives of all the pharmacists who were affected so that lessons learned from the program can inform future pandemic planning and government initiatives. Methods: A qualitative research study using key informant semistructured interviews was conducted. Community pharmacists with varying degrees of experience with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were recruited using multiple methods of recruitment through e-mail and fax invitations and social media posts. Open-ended questions explored pharmacists' experiences with the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir program, including barriers and facilitators to dispensing it, and recommendations for future pharmacy initiatives. Results: Forty-three community pharmacists participated in the study. Most participants were between the ages of 30 and 39 years and had practiced for less than 10 years. Thematic analysis yielded 36 codes that were organized into 3 overarching themes related to the following: learning; in-process experiences, supports, difficulties; and perceptions about the expanded scope of practice. Discussion: The following strategies may be helpful to consider including in future initiatives: preprinted forms, a hotline for peer support, slower rollouts, a single source for communicating changes, a patient portal, addressing the divisions between dispensary and clinical work, and having specialized positions to support future rollouts. Conclusion: Lessons learned from the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir service included a slower approach to program initiation with additional training opportunities and more streamlined prescription options. Pharmacists also wished for better communication support and involvement in the planning of future initiatives. Competing Interests: None of the authors report a conflict of interest. (© The Author(s) 2024.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:	Zobrazit plný text záznamu