Strategic planning for the POYC scheme

Abstract

Literature describing the perception of pharmacists, operators, and patients on the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) Scheme is limited. The objectives of the study were to analyse the current system by assessing the perception and experience of pharmacists, to explore the operative process and the innovative evolvement, and to develop a framework. A literature review on the POYC Scheme was compiled. A questionnaire was developed to assess the current system and the perception of community pharmacists on the Scheme. Dissemination of the questionnaire was carried out in an e-group of warranted pharmacists via Google Forms and through personal distribution in enrolled pharmacies. The collated data was inputted into Microsoft® Excel to compute descriptive statistics. A focus group consisting of staff from the POYC Unit and Central Procurement and Supplies Unit (CPSU) was conducted to explore the operative process. Shortcomings were identified. A framework aimed to mitigate the shortcomings was developed. Another focus group consisting of administrative staff from the POYC Unit and CPSU was conducted to validate and amend the framework. A total of 140 questionnaires were collected. Forty-one percent of the respondents felt that they dedicated enough time in giving patient advice upon dispensing the patients’ entitlement. Forty-five percent of the respondents stated that their pharmacy was often affected by medicine shortages. Sixty-five percent of the participants implied that the stock return system is inefficient. The first focus group identified the main factors leading to medicine shortages including sourcing and regulatory issues, a sudden increase in demand, administrative failure, and poor supplier’s performance. The focus group emphasised the importance of effective stock management at the pharmacies. The second focus group validated the framework by omitting 4 proposals and approving 4 proposals. It also led to the development of 6 new proposals. The validated framework was divided into 7 parts: Storage Capacity, Human Resources, Medicine Shortages, Stock Management at the Participating Pharmacies, IT Service, Patient Care and Automation. The POYC Scheme is dynamic and constantly changing to improve according to the experience of the main stakeholders. The study took a thorough approach involving the main stakeholders for a sustained continuous development.