Implementación de un protocolo de buenas prácticas de recepción, almacenamiento y dispensación activa de medicamentos en la Farmacia “Farmacentro” en la ciudad de Ambato

Abstract

The objective of this research was to implement a protocol of Good Practices for the reception, storage, and active dispensing of medicines at "Farmacentro" pharmacy in Ambato city, through non-experimental, mixed, and cross-sectional research. The study population consisted of the processes of reception, storage and dispensing, and also included pharmacy personnel and users who visited the pharmacy during the period April-August 2023. The analysis proceeded in three stages: the initial situation of the processes was diagnosed; the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed, and the implementation of the quality SOPs was evaluated. The results of the initial evaluation showed an overall compliance of 50.56% of the parameters. After identifying nonconformities, corrective actions were taken concerning the reception, storage, organization, personnel, infrastructure, materials and equipment, and dispensing of medicines, which were used as the basis for developing SOPs for personnel and organization, reception of medicines, storage, and active dispensing of medicines. After implementing the SOPs, greater compliance with the quality guidelines was achieved in the reception and storage of medicines (91.51%), while 45.67% compliance was achieved in active dispensing. It was concluded that the corrective actions for nonconformities and the design of the SOPs made it possible to comply, to a large extent, with the quality parameters of the National Agency for Regulation, Control, and Health Surveillance (ARCSA in Spanish). It is recommended to comply with the operating procedures and that the pharmacist coordinates the activities related to quality assurance.