Developing a Drug Information Service Framework for Community Pharmacies in North West Nigeria

Structured drug information services are largely confined to hospital settings in Nigeria, leaving community pharmacies in the North West zone without formal evidence-based drug information provision capacity. This study developed a practical drug information service framework for community pharmacies in the North West geopolitical zone, covering Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto States. A three-phase development methodology was employed. Phase one consisted of a cross-sectional needs assessment survey among 80 community pharmacists assessing current drug information provision practices, reference resource access, and training needs. Phase two involved a systematic mapping of appropriate reference materials, digital resources, and drug information tools suitable for community pharmacy contexts in the zone. Phase three comprised expert panel validation of the proposed framework using a two-round Delphi consultation with fifteen clinical pharmacy and community pharmacy experts. Results from the needs assessment showed that 71.3 percent of community pharmacists reported receiving drug information queries daily but only 18.8 percent had access to validated clinical databases. The validated framework encompasses four service domains: patient enquiry management, healthcare provider consultation support, community education resources, and referral pathways to specialist drug information centres. Minimum technology requirements, documentation templates, and pharmacist competency standards are included. The study recommends adoption of the framework as a standard of practice by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria branch in North West Nigeria and integration into continuing professional development for community pharmacists.

Keywords: drug information service, community pharmacy, North West Nigeria, pharmaceutical care, Delphi consensus