Beyond the counter: Navigating the landscape of Deanxit® dispensing – Insights from Jordanian community pharmacies

This study investigates the dispensing patterns and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding Deanxit®, a combination of melitracen and flupentixol approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety in Jordan. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, involving 75 randomly selected pharmacies in two Jordanian governorates (Amman and Irbid). The investigation involved simulated patient scenarios and structured interviews employing a validated tool. The analysis revealed that 70.6% of pharmacists were willing to dispense Deanxit® based on simulated scenarios, indicating malpractice. The mean practice score was 0.5867 out of 18, underlining a substantial level of malpractice. Pharmacists demonstrated poor knowledge, with a median score of 2.0 out of 15, reflecting a lack of awareness about Deanxit's labeled indications. Furthermore, 96% reported dispensing without prescriptions, and 62.1% acknowledged encountering cases of improper Deanxit® use. This study provides valuable insights into the current landscape of Deanxit® dispensing patterns, pharmacists' poor knowledge levels, and malpractices in Jordan. By identifying areas for improvement and offering recommendations for intervention, this study contributes to enhancing pharmacy practice and patient care outcomes in the region.