Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Human Resources Requirements at MOH Primary Healthcare Centers during Ten years Mass Gathering Hajj (2006-2015) in Makah and Al-Medina Regions, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical pharmacy technician services and workforce requirements at Ministry of Health primary health care centers during mass gathering Hajj ten years (2006-2015) at Makah and Al-Medina Regions in Saudi Arabia.Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of ten years (2006-2015) of MOH primary health care centers (PCC) pharmacies during mass gathering Hajj period (15-30 days). The clinical pharmacy technician helps the clinical pharmacist to provide pharmaceutical to all patients either Pilgrim or not Pilgrim at Makah region. It included Mona holy places hospitals; Arafat holy places hospitals, and Makah city. The workforce requirements calculated based on MOH workforce standards of hospitals. The clinical activities drive from MOH critical care services, emergency services, and mortality rate data. The nine clinical pharmacy services characterized by reduction mortality cost saving and mass gathering demand chosen. American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) modified the model of clinical activities used.Results: The total number of Pilgrims was (1,952,817-3,161,573) with average (2,445,208). The average number of clinical pharmacy technician needed in Makka region was (67.85 FTE) divided into (47 FTE) at holy places Primary Care Centers, while (20.85 FTE) at primary care centers in Makah city. Also, the number of clinical pharmacy technician need (6.67 FTE) at primary care centers at Al-Medina Region. The total number of clinical pharmacy technician needed per 10,000 population was (122.26 FTE) in Makka region while (97.64FTE) in Al-Madina region.Conclusion: There is a much demand of clinical pharmacy technician at primary care centers during mass gathering Hajj period in Makka and Al-Madina regions. The clinical pharmacy technician in plays very vital for supporting the clinical pharmacist role in public society especially chronic illness with emphasis mass gathering of reducing morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Clinical pharmacy technician; Primary care center; Workload; Workforces; Mass Gathering; Hajj