Community pharmacists' knowledge of isotretinoin safety

To explore the practice and knowledge of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia regarding dispensing isotretinoin-containing products.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 that included community pharmacists from 3 cities in Saudi Arabia. A validated and piloted self-administered survey collected demographics and information on the pharmacist's knowledge regarding isotretinoin precautions, as well as his dispensing, and counseling practices.

One hundred and sixteen questionnaires were returned with a 72.5% response rate. Only around half of the participants (56%) knew the correct pregnancy risk classification category for oral isotretinoin. Most participants (78%) correctly identified teratogenicity as the most serious risk associated with the use of oral isotretinoin. However, only 6.2% of the pharmacists recommended using 2 methods of contraception. Almost one-fifth of the pharmacists dispensed isotretinoin without a prescription. Finally, 11% of the pharmacists did not ask whether the patient performed a pregnancy test prior to dispensing oral isotretinoin.

Pharmacists at community pharmacies are not adequately aware of the risks for female patients using isotretinoin. Additionally, an alarming proportion of pharmacists dispense isotretinoin without a prescription. It is essential to implement risk minimization plans for certain medications to limit and prevent adverse drug reactions.