Work environment risk indicators for pharmacists in the preparation of extemporaneous medicines

¹ University of Latvia, Ergonomics Research Centre, Riga, Latvia
² University of Latvia, Faculty of Business, Management and Economics, Department of management, Riga, Latvia

Abstract

The pharmaceutical sector is one of the leading sectors of the Latvian economy, but the extemporary prepared medicines still occupy a small market share. The study involved 44 pharmacists and pharmacist assistants preparing extemporal medicines, while the control group included pharmacists and pharmacist assistants who only attend customers in pharmacies. The aim of this study was to identify work environment risk indicators for pharmacists preparing extemporal medicines in open-type pharmacies. In the research, we used methods of observation and survey to identify the views of pharmacists and pharmacist assistants preparing medicines in open-type pharmacies. The study concluded that pharmacists and pharmacist assistants who prepare medicinal products in open type pharmacies are exposed to a wide range of work environment risks, especially to the chemical risks. During our investigation, we identified the main work environment risk indicators: occupational accidents, workload, lack of information, exposure to chemicals, length of service, work environment quality, and use of personal protective equipment.