The role of pharmacists in Kırklareli (Turkey) as primary health care providers

This study was carried out in Kırklareli in 2005. The aim was to investigate the role of pharmacists as primary health care providers. In 63.5% of the total number of 55 pharmacies taking part in the research, there was no health care service within a 150 meter range. The remaining pharmacies, constituting 36.4%, did have health care services within a 150 meter range. These were in the proximity of either village clinics (55%), state hospitals (35%), or private hospitals (10%). 51.9% of the pharmacists are female and 48.1% male, and usually, they employ 1 or 2 assistants; only 1.9% do not employ an assistant. The assistants are between the ages of 20-29, and most of them are high school graduates. 27.4% of them work 10 hours a day, and 43.5% of them work 11 hours a day. 23.3% of the medicine sold in pharmacies in the most recent week of the study was unprescribed. 84% of the pharmacists told the patient to inform them of any adverse reactions and/or side effects. In the case of adverse reactions and/or side effects, 57.7% of patients informed the pharmacist before consulting a doctor. 100% of the pharmacists guided the patient to TÜFAM (The National Pharmacovigilance Centre-in Turkey). Pharmacists encounter drug poisoning very infrequently (5.7%) and respond to it 100% of the time. In the most recent week of the study, no one applied for an HIV test. 94.1% of the pharmacists do not approve of the selling of over-the-counter drugs. As a result of this study, we learned that provisions for the primary health care services given at pharmacies were not present in existing legislation, although there is a demand for them in the affected communities.