Archive \ Volume.16 2025 Issue 2

Simulated Patient Study in Community Pharmacy Regarding Patient Counseling and Dispensing of Insulin Pen

Faraa Zainib , Fiza Ayub , Asma Nasir , Umama Chaudhary , Waqas Khalid , Muhammad Faisal Safi , Hasan Homood Alsughayer , Yunes Abdulaziz Alothaim , Adel Thaar Al-Harbi , Allah Bukhsh , Tahir Mehmood Khan*✉
  1. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
  2. Laboratory Specialist, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim University Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
  3. Medical Laboratory Technician, International Academy for Health Sciences, Qassim Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Insulin therapy is vital for diabetic patients, but errors in its administration can be life-threatening. Pharmacists play a key role in educating and counseling patients on proper insulin pen use. This study investigates the awareness of community pharmacists regarding insulin pen usage using a simulated patient approach. A cross-sectional study employed the simulated patient method, using a scenario with a prescription for a regular insulin pen. The focus was on evaluating pharmacists’ counseling and education roles, comparing their information with expert recommendations for optimal insulin injection techniques. The study revealed moderate performance among community pharmacists in insulin pen counseling and dispensing. Some pharmacists merely dispensed insulin and referred patients to physicians for guidance. While a high percentage demonstrated proper procedures like insulin collection, handwashing, cap removal, and insulin examination, comprehensive patient counseling was often lacking. The simulated patient study highlights the need for standardized training and ongoing education for community pharmacists in insulin pen counseling and dispensing. Many pharmacists lack the expertise to provide diabetic patients with adequate guidance, underscoring the importance of practical demonstrations and addressing geographical variations in practices.


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Vancouver
Zainib F, Ayub F, Nasir A, Chaudhary U, Khalid W, Safi MF, et al. Simulated Patient Study in Community Pharmacy Regarding Patient Counseling and Dispensing of Insulin Pen. Arch Pharm Pract. 2025;16(2):6-11. https://doi.org/10.51847/52YwrQx7Rm
APA
Zainib, F., Ayub, F., Nasir, A., Chaudhary, U., Khalid, W., Safi, M. F., Alsughayer, H. H., Alothaim, Y. A., Al-Harbi, A. T., Bukhsh, A., et al. (2025). Simulated Patient Study in Community Pharmacy Regarding Patient Counseling and Dispensing of Insulin Pen. Archives of Pharmacy Practice, 16(2), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.51847/52YwrQx7Rm

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