%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge and Practice of Community Pharmacists Regarding Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey
%A Dalal Hammoudi Halat
%A Wassim El Basset
%A Nisreen Mourad
%A Samar Younes
%A Mohamad Rahal
%J Archives of Pharmacy Practice
%@ 2320-5210
%D 2021
%V 12
%N 4
%R 10.51847/cSV6NoQEnp
%P 84-90
%X Acne Vulgaris (AV) is a common dermatological disorder of adolescents, and patients often seek community pharmacists for professional advice regarding it. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of community pharmacists regarding AV in Bekaa Governorate, a rural area of Lebanon. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in community pharmacies in Bekaa Governorate. A questionnaire was distributed to community pharmacists to assess their knowledge about AV and was composed of four sections addressing demographic data and various aspects of AV practice. Seventy-one community pharmacists responded to the questionnaire, with a mean age of 38 years. Overall, pharmacists displayed good knowledge regarding AV causes, with 68% of respondents aware of its risk factors. The treatment option most commonly used for mild AV was benzoyl peroxide, used by 79% of respondents, followed by topical antibiotics (68%) then facial washes with salicylic acid (66%). The treatment option most commonly used for severe AV was oral antibiotics (73%). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were topical erythromycin and systemic doxycycline. Surprisingly, 66% of the participants prescribed Isotretinoin. About half of the participants recommended AV management for four weeks. Moreover, about half provided partial treatment and referred patients to dermatologists. The study revealed an overall acceptable knowledge of pharmacists regarding AV management. Still, given the common practice of community treatment of AV, further actions should be made to emphasize their role and keep them updated regarding the latest AV pharmacotherapeutic trends. 
%U https://archivepp.com/article/knowledge-and-practice-of-community-pharmacists-regarding-acne-vulgaris-a-cross-sectional-descripti-7ucptwai6b1icij