%0 Journal Article
%T Patients¡¯ Comprehension of the Medicine Information Given by Pharmaceutical Personnel at the Compounding Unit Pharmacy at a Tertiary Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania
%A Madulu Dotto
%A Stanley Mwita
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 12
%N 7
%P 1-10
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2025
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1113702
%X Introduction: Pharmacies serve not only as medication dispensing points but also as key sites for patient education. Despite this, there is growing concern regarding patients¡¯ comprehension of the information provided during medication dispensing. Thus, this study aimed to assess patients¡¯ comprehension of medicine information provided by pharmaceutical personnel at the compounding unit pharmacy of a tertiary hospital in northwestern Tanzania. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Compounding Unit Pharmacy, one of the pharmacies located within Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The comprehension was assessed and categorized into three levels: poor, moderate, or good. Results: A total of 223 participants were included in the study. Only 13.4% correctly identified the written generic names of their medications. Understanding of oral instructions was higher in specific details, such as the route of administration (95.5%), duration of medication (91.9%), and frequency of administration (83.9%). About half of the participants understood the number of units per dose (51.6%). Patients who were on three medications had the lowest rates of comprehension, with only 4.2% demonstrating good understanding. Conclusion: This study highlights inadequate patients¡¯ understanding of medication information. To reduce the risk associated with inadequate medication information comprehension, a holistic approach is required, involving system-level interventions, customized pharmaceutical personnel training, and enhanced patient education strategies.
%K Patients¡¯ Comprehension
%K Medicine Information
%K Pharmaceutical Personnel
%K Compounding
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/6864312