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Evaluation of community pharmacists' knowledge gaps and dispensing errors related to isotretinoin use in Erbil city: No

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Hawreen Azad Saber
Department of Community Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Kameran Hassan Ismail
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hawreen Azad Saber , Kameran Hassan Ismail (Author)

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Abstract

Background and objective: Isotretinoin, a potent treatment for severe acne, must be administered with caution due to the possibility of serious side effects. Community pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the safe dispensing of medications and providing patient counseling. However, dispensing errors may occur due to pharmacists' current knowledge gaps, particularly in Erbil City. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge gaps and dispensing errors among community pharmacists in Erbil City regarding isotretinoin use, to improve safe dispensing practices and patient safety.

Methods: A cross-sectional study consisted of 350 community pharmacists in Erbil City who were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire divided into three sections: sociodemographic information, isotretinoin knowledge, and dispensing practices. The data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.32 ± 5.80 years, and the mean duration of working experience was 5.10 ± 4.60 years. A significant percentage of pharmacists demonstrated a lack of knowledge about isotretinoin treatment. Many people were unaware of its proper use, potential side effects, and the need for counseling. Approximately 67.1% of the participants were classified as having poor knowledge, and only 16.3% of the participants demonstrated good knowledge. This study indicated that the younger, female, and single pharmacists tended to have more knowledge. These findings indicate a significant knowledge gap among pharmacists, emphasizing the importance of more comprehensive educational initiatives to improve isotretinoin-related patient counseling and safe dispensing procedures.

Conclusion: A significant knowledge gap in isotretinoin therapy was identified among Erbil City's community pharmacists. Many pharmacists were not familiar with its proper use, side effects, and safety precautions, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive training and educational initiatives to increase pharmacists' level of knowledge in this area.

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References

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How to Cite
Azad Saber , H., & Hassan Ismail , K. . (2026). Evaluation of community pharmacists’ knowledge gaps and dispensing errors related to isotretinoin use in Erbil city: No. Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (ZJMS), 30(1), 230–245. https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2026.017

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