Sri Bintang Sahara Mahaputra Kusuma Negara, Devi Ristian Octavia, Asmaul Fitri Natasia, Andini Suryani

Overview of Pharmaceutical Personnel's Knowledge of Good Compounding Practices in Community Pharmacies

Introduction

Overview of pharmaceutical personnel's knowledge of good compounding practices in community pharmacies. Assess pharmaceutical personnel's knowledge of good compounding practices in Lamongan community pharmacies. Study found 83% had good knowledge. Essential for safe, effective medications.

Abstract

Compounding is a process of preparing medications tailored to the individual needs of patients by pharmaceutical personnel, due to the limited availability of ready-made drug formulations. Knowledge of drug compounding is essential for pharmaceutical personnel to ensure the availability of quality medications that are safe and effective in achieving therapeutic goals. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of pharmaceutical personnel regarding proper compounding practices in pharmacies in Lamongan. The study employed a descriptive design. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to pharmacies from February to April 2024. The sampling method used was simple random sampling with a total of 70 respondents. The data were processed and analyzed through editing, coding, scoring, and tabulating. The results showed that out of 70 respondents, the majority (58 respondents; 83%) had good knowledge, 7 respondents (10%) had moderate knowledge, and 5 respondents (7%) had poor knowledge. Knowledge of good compounding practice among pharmaceutical personnel indicated that the highest percentage of correct answers was in the category of compounding definition (97%), while the moderate level of answers was found in the category of compounding aspects (75%). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that pharmaceutical personnel working in pharmacies in Lamongan have, in general, good knowledge of compounding. Keywords: Pharmacy, Compounding, Knowledge, Pharmaceutical Personnel.  

Review

This study addresses a highly pertinent issue in pharmaceutical practice: the knowledge of good compounding practices among pharmaceutical personnel in community pharmacies. Compounding plays a critical role in patient care by providing customized medication solutions, especially when commercial formulations are unavailable. Therefore, assessing the foundational knowledge underpinning these practices is essential for ensuring patient safety and therapeutic efficacy. The research employed a descriptive design, utilizing a questionnaire distributed to 70 respondents selected via simple random sampling in Lamongan pharmacies between February and April 2024. This methodological approach provides a clear snapshot of the current knowledge landscape within the specified demographic. The findings reveal an encouraging overall picture, with a substantial majority (83%) of pharmaceutical personnel demonstrating good knowledge of compounding. A smaller proportion registered moderate (10%) and poor (7%) knowledge levels. More specifically, the study found that knowledge of the compounding definition was exceptionally high (97% correct answers), indicating a strong grasp of the fundamental concept. However, knowledge pertaining to "compounding aspects" was at a moderate level (75%), which, while still good, suggests a potential area for further refinement and education. Elaboration on the specific "compounding aspects" assessed would provide deeper insight into where targeted interventions might be most beneficial, for instance, regarding sterility, stability considerations, or specific calculations. In conclusion, the study successfully establishes that pharmaceutical personnel in Lamongan generally possess a good understanding of good compounding practices. This baseline data is valuable for regional pharmaceutical authorities and educators. While the results are largely positive, the presence of moderate and poor knowledge groups underscores the ongoing need for continuous professional development and training initiatives to ensure uniformly high standards across all personnel. Future research could expand upon this work by exploring the practical application of this knowledge, investigating potential correlations between knowledge levels and actual compounding errors, or conducting comparative studies in different geographical regions to provide a broader national perspective on this vital aspect of pharmacy practice.

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