Investigating Effective Strategies for Proper Distribution of Narcotic Painkillers through Pharmacies

Narcotic analgesics are used to effectively relieve pain in some diseases. The use of these drugs with barriers such as lack of access as well as weak laws and regulations to prevent deviations in the use of these drugs has severely disrupted medical access to these painkillers in various countries. The purpose of this study is to review and propose the method of distribution of these drugs through selected pharmacies.

The statistical population in this study consisted of experts in the drug distribution system, which was selected by non-probable snowball sampling method. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to achieve this goal, using semi-structured interviews and distribution of questionnaires in person with these people were obtained and analyzed by the strategic planning model (SWOT).

The results showed that cases such as reviewing regulatory laws for the production and distribution of narcotic drugs, changing the sales portfolio of these drugs in pharmacies for greater profitability, delegating the distribution of these drugs to private networks under the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration, proper distribution of Drugs in all pharmacies for better control of patients and their easier access to drugs, networking and recording information and records of patients and addicts in a comprehensive national system were obtained as a necessary solution to achieve the purpose of this study.

The implementation of the findings of this study can be used as effective strategies for the proper distribution of narcotic analgesics through pharmacies in Iran.