article · Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences
A cross-sectional study investigated benzodiazepine dispensing practices among 378 community pharmacy dispensers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between March and June 2024. Diazepam was the most commonly dispensed benzodiazepine, followed by lorazepam. Assessment revealed that over half of the participants possessed inadequate knowledge regarding these medications, yet roughly two-thirds demonstrated good dispensing practices. Multivariable analysis showed that dispensers who were not pharmaceutical professionals were significantly less likely to demonstrate good dispensing practices. Conversely, dispensers with adequate knowledge of benzodiazepines were substantially more likely to practice appropriate dispensing. The findings indicate that professional qualification and targeted knowledge are key factors influencing proper dispensing, highlighting a need for ongoing professional development and stronger regulatory enforcement to stop unauthorised access to benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines are controlled medicines that require careful oversight to avoid misuse, dependency, and health risks. Understanding what influences dispensing practices helps public health authorities identify gaps in community pharmacy operations. By showing that professional background and specific knowledge directly improve dispensing, this work highlights the need to train staff properly and strictly enforce pharmaceutical regulations to ensure patient safety.
The findings could inform the design of targeted continuous professional development programmes, digital training modules, or compliance-monitoring systems for retail pharmacies and healthcare regulators. The users would be pharmacy owners, educational providers, and health regulatory bodies. Because the research is an observational assessment of current practices, any practical training interventions or software tools based on these insights remain at an early development stage.
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Purpose: This cross‐sectional study assessed determinants of benzodiazepine (BZP)‐dispensing practices among community pharmacy dispensers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A cross‐sectional study involving 378 community pharmacy dispensers was conducted between March and June 2024. An adapted structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the sociodemographics, most dispensed BZPs, dispensers’ knowledge, and dispensing practice of BZPs. Determinants of dispensing practice were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis using SPSS Version 23. Results: Of 378 dispensers, 232 (61.4%) were female, 263 (69.6%) had a college education level, and 193 (51.1%) were pharmaceutical technicians. Diazepam was the most dispensed BZP (163 (43%)), followed by lorazepam (102 (27%)). More than half, 203 (53.7%), of the dispensers had inadequate knowledge, and 240 (63.5%) of dispensers had good dispensing practices. Nonpharmaceutical dispensers were less likely to have good dispensing practice (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI (0.05–0.49)) whereas having adequate knowledge of BZPs (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI (1.64–4.25)) were significantly associated with the good dispensing practice of BZPs. Conclusion: Knowledge levels and the type of pharmaceutical professionals are determinants in ensuring proper BZP‐dispensing practices. These indicate the need for continuous professional development and stricter enforcement of dispensing regulations to improve pharmacy practices and prevent unauthorized BZP dispensing.
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DOI: 10.1155/adpp/1404995
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