Drug Education by the Pharmacist and its Impact on Community Health

Abstract

Background: Achieving ideal health outcomes depends on correct drug knowledge and prescription adherence, especially in groups with complicated drug regimens or chronic conditions. Drug education programs run under chemist direction have shown promise in enhancing these results. On their influence on Saudi Arabian hospital environments, particularly at the Mother and Child Hospital in Mecca, there is, however, little information available.
Methods: Three hundred people in all—150 in the intervention group and 150 in the control group—were part of a prospective, interventional trial. Patients tracked for six months after being divided into adult and paediatric groups. While the control group received regular treatment, the intervention group got pharmacist-led education about drug use, adherence techniques, and possible adverse effects. Medication knowledge, adherence (MMAS-8 scores), clinical outcomes (e.g., blood pressure, HbA1c), and patient satisfaction were among the baseline and follow-up assessments of data collected. With significance set at p < 0.05, statistical tests—t-tests and chi-square tests—were run.
Achievements
Results: Group baselines for demographic traits were similar (all p > 0.05). Compared to controls, the intervention group had notably better medication knowledge (83.7 ± 8.4 vs. 59.1 ± 12.6, p < 0.001) and adherence ratings (7.8 ± 1.2 vs. 5.6 ± 1.6, p < 0.001) after six months. Greater reductions in HbA1c (1.2% vs. 0.4%) and better blood pressure control (75% vs. 45%) helped the intervention group produce better clinical results. In the intervention group, patient satisfaction (89% vs. 65%) and confidence in medication management (92% vs. 58%) were noticeably higher. The intervention group had also less medication-related adverse events—8% instead of 22%, p = 0.001.
Conclusion: Pharmacist-led drug education significantly improves medication adherence, knowledge, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction, with reduced adverse events. These findings highlight the critical role of pharmacists in enhancing healthcare outcomes and support broader implementation of such interventions in hospital settings in Saudi Arabia.