A decentralization model for the Bangkok Metropolitan administration in regulation of the retail pharmacy via Health Centers participation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to propose the decentralization model for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in regulation of the retail pharmacy. This research was quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method was to collect the questionnaire from directors and pharmacists of health centers. The qualitative method was to conduct a focus group discussion. The experts group from the BMA and Ministry of Public Health who had their work related with retail pharmacy regulation were selected to be in the focus group. The research found that 56.5% of directors and 92.1% of pharmacists agreed that the BMA should be responsible for retail pharmacy inspection. In addition, 40.3% of directors and 61.9% of pharmacists thought that the BMA should be responsible for approving pharmacy license. The results of study showed that the appropriate decentralization model should completely include the tasks of retail pharmacy license and retail pharmacy inspection, and it should cover all types of retail pharmacy. There were several agencies of the BMA which should be responsible for regulating the retail pharmacy, as following: 1) Agency to approve retail pharmacy license was Pharmaceutical Division 2) Agencies to inspect retail pharmacy were Health Centers with Pharmaceutical Division, which were supported by District Offices. 3) Legal process agency was Pharmaceutical Division 4) Agencies to receive drug complaints such as Hotline 1555, Hotline of Health Department, Pharmaceutical Division, Health Centers, and District Offices. The suggestion of this research to the executive of the BMA were allocating manpower and budget for this new task, and establishing the professional career for pharmacist in Pharmaceutical Division and Health Centers to be responsible for this new responsibilities.