Assessing knowledge, attitude, practice, and preparedness of hospital pharmacists in Lebanon towards COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lebanese government has taken the proactive anticipatory measure to minimize the infection rates. Despite the pivotal role of the pharmacists working in hospital settings, hospital pharmacists have not been engaged in the emergency preparedness for hospitals. The primary objective of this survey is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital pharmacists in Lebanon towards COVID-19 pandemic and explore the level of health emergency preparedness of Lebanese hospitals in response to this outbreak.

Current Trends in Hospital Pharmacy Practice in Lebanon.

For decades, the role of hospital pharmacists has been instrumental in elevating pharmacy practice worldwide. Recently, the Hospital Pharmacy Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP), and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) updated their statements about the future role and responsibilities of the pharmacy executive in hospitals and health systems. A series of surveys were conducted around the globe to better understand the current state of hospital pharmacy practice.

Assessing the perceptions of pharmacists working in Lebanese hospitals on the continuing education preferences.

Background: Continuing education (CE) is an international tool that requires lifelong active participation in learning activities allowing the pharmacist to stay a major player among others. In 2014 the CE program was introduced to the pharmacists licensed in Lebanon as a mandatory requirement for re-licensure. In the absence of guidelines regarding the quality and quantity of CE programs, behavioral resistance to precipitate in the CE programs might be encountered among the pharmacists.