Table 2 Description of the practices and confidence of community pharmacists regarding drug and herb safety during pregnancy
Variable | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
Do you ask about the state of pregnancy? | |
Always | 124 (59.9) |
Sometimes | 53 (25.6) |
Only if expected | 29 (14.0) |
Never | 1 (0.5) |
Do you refer to certain sources if you do not know the safety of a particular drug for pregnant women? | |
No | 2 (1.0) |
Sometimes | 34 (16.4) |
Yes | 171 (82.6) |
If a pregnant woman wants to buy more of the medicine she is taking, but you know that it is contraindicated during pregnancy. What advice do you give to her? | |
Advise on an alternative medicine which is safer | 32 (15.5) |
Advice on stopping this medicine immediately | 74 (35.7) |
Advise to see the doctor again | 101 (48.8) |
You have sufficient knowledge to solve the drug and health-related problems of pregnant women | |
Disagree | 57 (27.5) |
Agree | 150 (72.5) |
Do you return to the prescribers to change the prescribed medicine to a safer option? | |
No | 9 (4.3) |
Sometimes | 92 (44.4) |
Yes | 106 (51.2) |
OTC medicines are safe for pregnant women | |
No | 18 (8.7) |
Not all medicines | 183 (88.4) |
Yes | 6 (2.9) |
Total | 207 (100) |