Evaluation of Pharmacist Counselling Practices on Dispensed Medications in Community Pharmacies in Port Harcourt, South South Nigeria

Background: Patient counselling at the point of dispensing is a fundamental component of pharmaceutical care, aimed at improving medication adherence, reducing drug-related problems, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. However, the quality and consistency of counselling in community pharmacies across Nigeria remain poorly documented. This study evaluated pharmacist counselling practices at community pharmacies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methods: A simulated patient method combined with a structured observation checklist was employed across 40 community pharmacies over an eight-week period. Each pharmacy was visited twice by trained assessors posing as patients. Counselling quality was scored based on adherence to dispensing guidelines, completeness of information provided, and interaction duration. Results: Adequate counselling, defined as covering at least four key medication information elements, was provided in only 38 percent of all encounters. Information on dosage and frequency was provided in 80 percent of cases, while drug interactions, adverse effects, and storage were discussed in fewer than 25 percent of visits. Chain pharmacies performed significantly better than independent outlets. Conclusion: Counselling quality in Port Harcourt community pharmacies is suboptimal and requires structured improvement through continuing professional development and regulatory enforcement. Keywords: pharmacist counselling, dispensing, community pharmacy, Port Harcourt, pharmaceutical care