Practice of High-Risk/Alert Medications by Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To illustrate the pharmacist practice of High-Risk/Alertmedications in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It analyzes a cross-sectional survey that discussed the Pharmacist practice of High-Risk/Alert medications in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of respondents’ demographic information about pharmacists and practices, Basic and advanced High-Risk/Alertmedications practice implementation, the High- Risk/Alertdrugs implemented in the following medication stages, and medications considered high alert or high risk at your institution. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed-ended questions. The survey was validated through the revision of expert reviewers and pilot testing. Besides, various tests of reliability, McDonald’s ω, Cronbach alpha, Gutmann’s λ2, and Gutmann’s λ6 been done with the study. Furthermore, the data analysis of the Pharmacist practice of High-Risk/ Alert medications is done through the survey monkey system. Besides, the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS), Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel sheet version 16. Results: A total number of 442 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Of them, more than one-third responded from the Central region (183 (40.40%)), and one Quarter responded from the Western part (119 (26.92%)), with statistically significant differences between the provinces (p=0.000). Males responded more than females (264 (59.59%)) versus 179 (40.41%)), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). Most of the responders were in the age group of 24-30 years (266 (59.91%)) and 31-35 years (78 (17.57%)), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p=0.000). Most of the pharmacists were staff pharmacists (323 (72.75%)) and pharmacy supervisors (56 (12.61%)), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). The average score of the practice of pharmacists’ basic of High-Risk/Alertmedications was (3.81). The element “The risk medications is a part of medications safety vision” obtained the highest score (4.18), and the element “Policy and procedure of High-Risk/ Alertmedications “ was (4.18). Followed the “The High-Risk/Alertmedications is a part of medications safety Mission” (4.12). The average advanced High-Risk/Alertmedications practice implementation score was (3.62). The element “The pharmacist share in medications safety committee for High-Risk/Alertmedications discussion” (4.12) and the element “There is documentation of potential impact and outcomes with High- Risk/Alertmedications “ was (3.85). The average score of High-Risk/Alertmedications implemented in the medications stages was (3.99). The dispensing stage obtained the highest score (4.21), and the administration stage (4.12). Most drugs considered high alert or high risk at the institutions were antithrombotic agents 332 (77.39%) and adrenergic agonists 330 (76.92%). They were followed by insulin 285 (66.43%) and inotropic medications 284 (65.97%). Conclusion: The pharmacist’s practice of High- Risk/Alertmedication is sufficient in Saudi Arabia. However, more expanded training in anesthesia and operation rooms has been successfully implemented. That leads to many preventive drug-related problems and avoids unnecessary economic burdens on the healthcare system.