E,Effectiveness Effectiveness of Drug Receiving System Development at Drugstore, Yasothon Hospital

Abstract

Abstract

Background and Significance: Healthcare system development to increase service accessibility and reduce hospital congestion is a critical issue today. The implementation of Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) for medication dispensing at community pharmacies is one approach to address these challenges by providing additional channels for chronic disease patients to receive medications, thereby reducing hospital congestion and improving public access to healthcare services.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the medication dispensing system development at Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) pharmacies of Yasothon Hospital by comparing data before and after implementation, to determine whether this system successfully increases service accessibility, reduces congestion, and maintains medication safety standards.

Methods: Action Research conducted during June-August, with the pre-implementation period in 2024 and post-implementation period in 2025. The sample consisted of patients with 5 chronic disease categories: diabetes, hypertension, asthma, psychiatric disorders, and uncomplicated chronic diseases who voluntarily enrolled in the pharmacy medication dispensing system, and 40 healthcare providers (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and pharmacy technicians). Research instruments included satisfaction questionnaires, service delivery records, and statistical analysis using McNemar's test and t-test.

Results: Service Utilization Increase: Patients receiving medications at pharmacies increased from 52 cases (2024) to 104 cases (2025), a 100% increase. Participating pharmacies increased from 5 to 18 locations, a 260% increase, with statistically significant difference (p-value = 0.0033, p < 0.05). Healthcare Provider Satisfaction (n=40): Hospital staff showed highest satisfaction (mean 4.59±0.65) for "I would recommend patients to participate in the pharmacy program." Pharmacy staff (community pharmacists) showed highest satisfaction (mean 4.75±0.46) for "I have communication channels to coordinate with the referral hospital" and "I would recommend patients to participate in the pharmacy program." Patient/Service Recipient Satisfaction: Highest satisfaction (mean 5.00±0.00) for "Medications and packaging received were in good condition, not damaged," "Received correct medications, no wrong name/wrong patient errors," and "This is a good program that should continue." Medication Safety: No medication errors were found at any stage, including Prescribing Error, Pre-Dispensing Error, and Dispensing Error. Waiting Time Reduction: Average waiting time decreased from 50.25±2.26 minutes to 44.47±1.53 minutes, a reduction of 5.78 minutes (11.5%) with statistical significance (p-value = 0.03, p < 0.05). Congestion Reduction: The proportion increased from 0.35% (2024) to 0.64% (2025), an 82.9% increase.

Recommendations: The development of the medication dispensing system at GPP pharmacies of Yasothon Hospital demonstrates clear effectiveness, strengthens the role of community pharmacists in Pharmaceutical Care, and supports interprofessional collaboration in the healthcare system for optimal patient benefit. Future development should focus on expansion to other disease groups beyond the 5 chronic disease categories studied and the development of Digital Health systems to enhance efficiency and patient monitoring.

Keywords: Pharmacy medication dispensing system, Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP), Service effectiveness, Medication safety, Satisfaction, Chronic diseases