@article {291, title = {Knowledge of Pharmacists about Nuclear Pharmacy Services in Saudi Arabia}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {10}, year = {2021}, month = {September 2021}, pages = {51-59}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {51}, abstract = {

Goal: The knowledge of nuclear pharmacy is essential in pharmacy practice. In addition, the nuclear pharmacy services demand various diagnoses and drug therapy management. In this study, we aimed to explore pharmacists{\textquoteright} knowledge about nuclear pharmacy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a crosssectional qualitative study. In this study, we distributed an electronic validated reliability questionnaire to all pharmacists and pharmacy interns. Students were excluded from this study. The survey collected demographic data of the responders and the knowledge of pharmacists about nuclear pharmacy, radioactive drugs, and resources of nuclear pharmacy. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS), Microsoft Excel, and Survey Monkey system. Results: A total of 235 pharmacists responded to the survey questionnaire. Of them, 142 (63.96\%) were male, and 80 (36.04\%) were female, with a statistically significant difference between them (p\<0.001). About two-thirds of the pharmacists had earned a Bachelor{\textquoteright}s degree (149 (63.40\%)) and Diploma in Pharmacy (75 (31.91\%)), with statistically significant differences among all qualifications (p\<0.001). The average score for pharmacists{\textquoteright} knowledge of nuclear pharmacy services was 1.61, with high scores obtained for the elements{\textemdash}knowledge of the nuclear pharmacist has additional salary in Saudi Arabia (1.76) and radiation safety considerations (1.73). The average score was obtained for knowledge of radiopharmaceutical products (1.63), and the highest score on knowledge was obtained for 131I-Sodium Iodide capsule five mCi (for thyroid therapy) (1.8) and 201Tl-Thallium solution five mCi (for cardiac imaging) (1.8). The resources used to access information about nuclear pharmacy services were drug information resources (93 (40.09\%)), scientific literature (83 (35.78\%)), and the internet (83 (34.48\%)). Conclusion: The pharmacist{\textquoteright}s knowledge of nuclear pharmacy services and radiopharmaceutical products was poor. Therefore, to expand nuclear medicine, including pharmacy-related nuclear services, we recommend implementing the education and training program on nuclear pharmacy in Saudi Arabia.

}, keywords = {Knowledge, Nuclear, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.2021.10.9}, author = {Yousef Ahmed Alomi and Ali Taer Al-Asmri and Mohammed Abdulaziz Ayoub Asiri and Abdulaziz Saleh Alnabbah} } @article {292, title = {Perception of Pharmacists about Nuclear Pharmacy Services in Saudi Arabia}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {10}, year = {2021}, month = {September 2021}, pages = {80-88}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {80}, abstract = {

Goal: In this study, we aimed to explore the nuclear pharmacy perception in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a 4-month cross-sectional study including all pharmacists and pharmacy interns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Students were excluded from this study. We distributed the electronic survey to the participants which consisted of two parts. The first part collected demographic information, and the second part collected information of perception of pharmacists about nuclear pharmacy services and reasons preventing nuclear pharmacy services. The responses were obtained through the Survey Monkey system and analyzed via Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) software. Results: A total of 235 pharmacists responded to this survey. Of them, 142 (63.96\%) were male and 80 (36.04\%) were female responders, with statistically significant differences between them (p\<0.001). Most of the responders were in the age group of 24{\textendash}30 years (115 (48.94\%)) followed by those in the age group of 31{\textendash}35 years (57 (24.26\%)), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p\<0.001). About two-thirds of the pharmacists had obtained Bachelor{\textquoteright}s degree (149 (63.40\%)) and Diploma in Pharmacy (75 (31.91\%)), with statistically significant differences between the degrees (p\<0.001). The total average score for the element {\textquotedblleft}pharmacist perception of nuclear pharmacy services{\textquotedblright} was 3.54. We obtained high scores for the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy required to complete the drug therapy for cancer patients{\textquotedblright} (3.77) followed by the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy should be mandatory{\textquotedblright} (3.75). The score for the element {\textquotedblleft}under-working in nuclear pharmacy in the healthcare institutions{\textquotedblright} (3.74). The total average score for the element {\textquotedblleft}barriers prevent the implementation of nuclear pharmacy services{\textquotedblright} was 3.54 with high score obtained for the element {\textquotedblleft}lack of periodic training of pharmacy staff about nuclear pharmacy{\textquotedblright} (3.81). The most recommendations/suggestions for facilitating the implementation of nuclear pharmacy was implemented nuclear pharmacy residency program (170 (72.65\%)). Moreover, set up the therapeutic protocol or guidelines for nuclear pharmacy (147 (62.82\%)). Conclusion: The perception of pharmacists about nuclear pharmacy services was acceptable. The nuclear pharmacy system demands workforces, nuclear management guidelines, and implementation of nuclear pharmacy residency program. We highly recommend to resolve all nuclear pharmacy challenges in order to improve healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.

}, keywords = {Attitude, Nuclear, Perception, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.2021.10.12}, author = {Yousef Ahmed Alomi and Ali Taer Al-Asmri and Mohammed Abdulaziz Ayoub Asiri and Abdulaziz Saleh Alnabbah} } @article {293, title = {The Practice of Nuclear Pharmacy Services by Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {10}, year = {2021}, month = {September 2021}, pages = {70-79}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {70}, abstract = {

Goal: In this study, we aimed to illustrate the practice of nuclear pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. An electronic survey was distributed to all pharmacists and pharmacy interns. Students were excluded from this study. The survey consisted of demographic data about responders and pharmacy practice aspects of nuclear pharmacy. The data were collected using the Survey Monkey system and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS). Results: A total of 235 pharmacists responded to the survey, with most of them coming from the southern region (82 (34.89\%)), central region (49 (20.85\%)), and western region (47 (20.00\%)), with statistically significant differences between the regions (p\<0.001). Almost two-thirds of the pharmacists had obtained Bachelor{\textquoteright}s degree (149 (63.40\%)) and Diploma in Pharmacy (75 (31.91\%)), with statistically significant differences between all the pharmaceutical degrees (p\<0.001). Most pharmacists were staff pharmacists (119 (51.29\%)) and interns (43 (18.53\%)). The total average score of elements of the practice of nuclear pharmacy services was 1.69. The highest score was recorded for the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy and facilities, equipment, and place for preparation are available{\textquotedblright} (1.79), followed by the elements {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy and drug monitoring system{\textquotedblright} (1.78) and {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy and radiation safety{\textquotedblright} (1.77). The average score for the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy practice implementation{\textquotedblright} was 3.39. High scores were obtained for the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy should be covered by health insurance{\textquotedblright} (3.79) and {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy outsourcing is highly recommended{\textquotedblright} (3.67). The highest score was obtained for the element {\textquotedblleft}nuclear pharmacy currently is the responsibility was a nuclear pharmacist{\textquotedblright} (4.28) and {\textquotedblleft}toxicologist laboratory{\textquotedblright} (3.55). Conclusion: The various aspects of pharmacists based on the elements of the practice implementation of nuclear pharmacy were insufficient in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pharmacists play an active role in the nuclear pharmacy practice. Further studies on nuclear pharmacy services should be conducted thoroughly and setup strategic plan to improve nuclear pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia.

}, keywords = {Nuclear, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Practice, Saudi Arabia}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.2021.10.11}, author = {Yousef Ahmed Alomi and Ali Taer Al-Asmri and Mohammed Abdulaziz Ayoub Asiri and Abdulaziz Saleh Alnabbah} }