A Study to Assess Prescription Transfer and Medicines Collection Through a New Electronic Prescription Service: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic Profile of Wasfaty Beneficiaries Over the Study Period (n = 217)

Variables	No	%
Gender
Female	125	57.6
Male	92	42.4
Age group
18–25 years	81	37.3
26–32 years	11	5.1
33–40 years	47	21.7
> 40 years	78	35.9
Educational level
High school level	26	12.0
University level	120	55.1
Postgraduate level	71	32.9
Employment status
Student	83	38.4
Staff	134	61.6

Table 2 Responses to Questionnaire Items on Aspects of Patients’ Perceptions and Satisfaction on Wasfaty Service

Survey Questions	No.	%
The procedure of initial registration of Wasfaty service at the University Medical Centre was satisfying
Strongly Agree	124	57.2
Agree	59	27.4
Neutral	23	10.7
Disagree	3	1.4
Strongly Disagree	7	3.3
You have received a text-message with the prescription link within a short time
Strongly Agree	121	55.6
Agree	58	26.9
Neutral	23	10.6
Disagree	8	3.7
Strongly Disagree	7	3.2
The location of the community pharmacy where the medicines were dispensed was satisfying
Yes	159	73.3%
No	58	26.7
You found all the medicines at the community pharmacy close to you
Strongly Agree	67	30.7
Agree	42	19.5
Neutral	43	20.0
Disagree	42	19.5
Strongly Disagree	22	10.2
You had to visit more than one pharmacy to look for your medicines
Strongly Agree	74	34.3
Agree	64	29.6
Neutral	38	17.6
Disagree	26	12.0
Strongly Disagree	14	6.5
You are satisfied with the pharmaceutical service you had received at the community pharmacy
Strongly Agree	93	43.0
Agree	82	38.0
Neutral	28	13.0
Disagree	7	3.2
Strongly Disagree	6	2.8
Your medicines were dispensed accurately by the community pharmacist as prescribed through Wasfaty and you received full explanation on how to use them
Strongly Agree	99	45.4
Agree	69	31.9
Neutral	35	16.2
Disagree	8	3.7
Strongly Disagree	6	2.8
You found your medicines at the community pharmacy but the pharmacist refused to dispense them through Wasfaty service
Strongly Agree	23	10.7
Agree	17	7.9
Neutral	37	17.2
Disagree	68	31.2
Strongly Disagree	72	33.0
The pharmacist dispensed a different medicine from the one the doctor prescribed without consulting him/her
Strongly Agree	19	8.8
Agree	19	8.8
Neutral	40	18.6
Disagree	74	34.0
Strongly Disagree	65	29.8
When the medicines were unavailable, the community pharmacist directed you to another pharmacy branch that may provide your medicines
Strongly Agree	59	27.4
Agree	59	27.4
Neutral	61	27.9
Disagree	23	10.7
Strongly Disagree	14	6.5
When the pharmacist directed you to another pharmacy to collect your medicines, what did you do?
Purchased your medicines on your own	112	51.40
Returned to the University main pharmacy	36	16.70
Contacted Wasfaty	34	15.70
Other	35	16.20
You know that there is a WhatsApp number for more information about Wasfaty services
Strongly Agree	25	11.7
Agree	27	12.6
Neutral	33	15.0
Disagree	74	34.1
Strongly Disagree	58	26.6
You are aware of the toll-free number to contact Wasfaty in case of unavailable medicines
Strongly Agree	28	13.0
Agree	33	15.3
Neutral	33	15.3
Disagree	62	28.4
Strongly Disagree	61	27.9
You are aware of the platform for Wasfaty in Tawakkalna application that displays your prescription
Strongly Agree	41	18.7
Agree	39	17.8
Neutral	26	12.1
Disagree	63	29.0
Strongly Disagree	49	22.4
You are aware of free home delivery service in case of unavailable medicines by contacting a toll-free number
Strongly Agree	29	13.2
Agree	20	9.4
Neutral	34	15.6
Disagree	63	29.2
Strongly Disagree	71	32.5
In general, you are satisfied and happy about Wasfaty services
Strongly Agree	80	36.7
Agree	68	31.2
Neutral	41	19.1
Disagree	17	7.9
Strongly Disagree	11	5.1

Table 3 Suggestions to Improve Wasfaty Services

	n
Preferred not to submit a suggestion via the questionnaire	120
Express gratitude and appreciation for the services received	25
Voiced their displeasure at the lack of access to certain pharmaceuticals including anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, cosmetics, colds and flu medications	23
Emphasized the necessity to increase advertising campaigns	8
Expanding pharmacy locations and expanding partnerships with pharmacies	7
Improvement of services	7
Make it possible to check the stock status of medications at individual locations through a central database.	5
An adequate explanation of the platform	4
Enhance Response speed	3
Maintaining a regular schedule of at-home chronic disease treatments	3
Communicating with the patients after dispensing the medication	3
Educating pharmacists about the platform	3
Adding alternatives if the medicine is unavailable.	3
Connecting “Wasfaty” to the medical center and health centers	2
Automatic prescription refill	1

Table 4 Wasfaty Prescriptions (Top 10 Medicines Prescribed at UJ Medical Centre)

Medicine	Number of e-Prescriptions	Percent (%)
MULTIVITAMINS: TABLETS [ORAL]	718	19.5
VITAMIN B COMPLEX FILM COATED TABLETS [ORAL]	572	15.6
MOMETASONE FUROATE: 0.05% SPRAY [NASAL]	545	14.8
LORATADINE: 10 MG TABLETS [ORAL]	381	10.4
COLECALCIFEROL: 50,000 INTERNATIONAL UNITS CAPSULES [ORAL]	319	8.7
OMEPRAZOLE: 20 MG CAPSULES [ORAL]	259	7.0
METFORMIN HCL: 500 MG TABLETS [ORAL]	251	6.8
ESOMEPRAZOLE: 20 MG GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS [ORAL]	220	6.0
ROSUVASTATIN (AS CALCIUM): 10 MG FILM COATED TABLETS [ORAL]	211	5.7
PARACETAMOL: 500 MG TABLETS [ORAL]	201	5.5