Infection prevention and control practices: Community drug retail outlets as overlooked frontline of care

This study aimed to assess the current IPC practices at private-sector drug retail outlets in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, and to explore the facilitators and barriers to effective IPC implementation in these settings.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2025, where data were collected from the pharmacists and pharmacy assistants working at private-sector drug retail outlets located in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was designed following IPC guidelines from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and United States and National Institutes of Health, Pakistan. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to find the independent factors associated with IPC practices. p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Out of total 187 drug retail outlets, 134 (71.7%) participated in the study. The majority of outlets exhibited suboptimal IPC practices (n = 112; 83.6%) and insufficient essential IPC resources (n = 71; 53.0%). Primary barriers associated with suboptimal IPC measures included staff non-compliance (n = 120; 89.6%), lack of formal monitoring mechanisms (n = 119; 88.8%), absence of IPC training opportunities (n = 118; 88.1%) and insufficient supervision (n = 117; 87.3%). Multiple linear regression analysis identified male gender (beta = -0.249, p = 0.005) and availability of IPC resources (beta = 0.217, p = 0.004) as significant factors associated with IPC practices.

Suboptimal IPC practices were observed at drug retail outlets due to staff commitment and regulatory deficits. Context-specific IPC policies were needed to explicitly address these gaps.