Knowledge of community pharmacists in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal about the risks associated with medication use during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists are among the most accessible health care providers. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the knowledge of community pharmacists about the risks associated with medication use during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in March 2021 among the 344 community pharmacies in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Convenience sampling was used for data collection using a structured and validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of participants were male: 264 (76.7%), 94.2% were between the age of 21 to 30 years, and 53.1% had work experience of less than one year. Over half had completed diploma in pharmacy. Less than 10 medicines were dispensed to pregnant women daily in 61.6% of the pharmacies. Only 28.8% of the community pharmacists always inquired about pregnancy status from women in the reproductive age group. The median knowledge score was significantly different among individuals with different work experience and qualifications (p < 0.001). There was also difference in median scores according to average number of medicines dispensed daily (p = 0.006). The knowledge score also differed according to average number of medicines dispensed to pregnant woman and inquiry by the pharmacist about pregnancy status (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that the median knowledge scores need improvement.