ALBANIAN PHARMACISTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON GALENIC PREPARATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a form of eczema and a chronic inflammatory state of the skin that touches million of
people around the world, mainly the pediatric age being influenced by a number of internal or external factors. For
the treatment of this pathology in the pediatric group, where the toxicology aspect of the topical pharmaceutical
forms is essential, the pharmacist can participate in giving recommendations as well as in the preparation of some
galenic preparations. The pathology of atopic dermatitis is a widespread pathology among children and the interest
in topical formulations is high. Therefore, in the Albanian pharmaceutical market there are many alternatives of
ready-made formulations. Despite the multitude of forms available on the market, in many cases alternatives of
'tailored'-to-the-patient or without preservatives may be required or with different concentrations of active
substances from the finished forms. Pharmacists are the only professionals with the legislation in force in Albania
who can carry out galenic preparations in the premises of the pharmacy according to the regulations of the
preparations. For this, they are based on the Pharmaceutical Formulary, the Therapeutic Formulary, the European
Pharmacopoeia and academic literature. Access to the European Pharmacopoeia or contemporary European
literature is difficult for Albanian pharmacists. So, the academic literature remains the main reference for them. The
purpose of the study is to research the compounding preparations of pediatric atopic dermatitis described in the
literature and to investigate the approach of Albanian pharmacists to these types of preparations. A questionnaire
was designed and shared to pharmacist professionals in different regions of Albania. The questionnaire designed in
the Albanian language in Google Forms has questions focused on the pharmacist category developed in three
sections including demographic information, inclusion of galenic preparations in professional practice, pharmacists’
knowledge of pediatric atopic dermatitis. The pharmacists that accepted to be part in the study were 106. The data
obtained from the survey were then extracted to primary data and analyzed with Microsoft Office 365. The results
showed pharmacists’ dedication to the treatment of atopic dermatitis with the proper recommendation and their
knowledge and commitment to the specialty. While there is a good approach to these preparations, the results of the
survey shows a lack of practice by pharmacists to perform galenic preparations, more than 50% of the responders
didn’t practice this specialty. This kind of attitude was claimed due to some difficulties encountered during their
work such as lack of access to raw materials, time spent, material costs, physical space. Even though all the
difficulties, the pharmacists share a good perspective for the development of this specialty within the pharmacy
practice by ensuring a stable regulatory framework and continuous education programs dedicated to the issue.