Perception, experience, and practice of Iraqi community pharmacists towards customers with substance use disorder.

Background: Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who frequently encounter individuals struggling with addiction in their day-to-day practice. Studies critique pharmacists' competence in the detection, prevention, and management of substance use disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to get in-depth information about the perception, experience, and practice of Iraqi pharmacists towards substance use disorder.

Methods: A qualitative-study was performed through face-to-face individual-based interviews with community pharmacists in Baghdad/Iraq. Interviews were conducted from July 2023 till the saturation point (September 2023). Data analyzed by thematic-analysis approach.

Results: Interviews were conducted with 21 pharmacists. Most participants reported that substance use disorder is common among young males. Pregabalin is the most commonly requested drug. Availability, euphoric-effect, and low cost are the main reasons for favoring a drug by persons with substance use disorder. Moreover, poverty and social problems are the main reasons for substance use disorder. Drug intoxication signs are the main clues in recognizing substance use disorder. Most participants refuse dispensing drugs without prescription and reported that the barriers for implementing regulations on drugs with high potential for dependence are related to the limited follow-up to pharmacists, presence of outsiders, and fear from reactions of persons with substance use disorder. Pharmaceutical services to persons with substance use disorder were performed by few pharmacists and limited to patient education about the risks of misusing drugs. Most participants reported that enhancing pharmacists' competence in substance use disorder is necessary.

Conclusion: Substance use disorder is common among young Iraqi males. Pregabalin is a commonly requested drug. The current Iraqi regulations are not sufficient to prevent substance use disorder. Pharmaceutical services to persons with substance use disorder are weak and limited to patient education. Enhancing pharmacists' knowledge through educational courses is necessary to improve their role in facing substance use disorder.