GAP analysis of pharmacy curriculum regarding topical corticosteroid use and safety

Aim This article aims to evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding the safety and consumption of topical corticosteroids (TC). Subjects and methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was held among community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One-to-one interviews were then carried out, and the structured questionnaire that was used was mainly composed of two sections: demographic and socio-economic information and the KAP regarding topical corticosteroids. The data were analysed using STATA version 14.2. Results The KAP score was on average 55%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [55.1%, 56.9%]. The statistical modelling results showed that sex, the university from which the participant graduated, pharmacy type, years of experience, percentage of full-time employment and participation in educational training are strong determinants of the KAP towards topical corticosteroid use and safety. Conclusions Pharmacists' knowledge and attitude regarding topical corticosteroids, which affect the practice of using topical corticosteroids and providing advice, demonstrate that there is a deficiency in the pharmacy curriculum at pharmacy training institutes in the UAE. It appears that educational courses on this topic at the UAE's universities are lacking, and pharmacists in training should be offered courses regarding the rational consumption of topical corticosteroids; this is a matter of some urgency if the deficiencies highlighted are to be addressed.