Community pharmacists' knowledge and dispensing recommendations for treatment of acute diarrhoea in Trinidad, West Indies

Using a hypothetical case presentation of a patient with acute diarrhoea, community pharmacists in Trinidad were asked about their knowledge and dispensing recommendations to manage acute diarrhoea. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) were recommended by 86% (79), but more pharmacists would recommend ORS as the first choice therapy alone, for children (70%) than adults (33%) (p < 0.01). Antimotility agents as a first choice therapy alone or with ORS would be given to more adults (60%) than children (10%) (p < 0.01), and more adults (59%) than children (33%) would receive cotrimoxazole. Pharmacists (93%) would counsel on preparation, storage and treatment schedule for ORS, but not on discontinuing (32%) or continuing ORS (4%). Despite 51 pharmacists knowing the WHO guidelines to treat acute diarrhoea, only 23 dispensed in accordance. Educational re-enforcement to manage acute diarrhoea and dispensing practices of medications are necessary for pharmacists who are the first patient contact in Trinidad.