Pharmacists' Perspectives on Functional Medication-Use Challenges and Potential Adaptations for People with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study.

Background

People with disabilities may face medication-safety challenges when functional limitations interfere with medication handling, administration, communication, self-management, or continuity of treatment. This study examined pharmacists' experiences and perceptions of safe medication use among people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia and identified adaptations that may support safer, more independent medication management.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered electronic survey that included structured items on participant characteristics and 15 open-ended questions. Eighteen pharmacists from different practice settings participated, and 17 provided substantive qualitative responses for analysis. Data were analyzed using a codebook thematic analysis approach within a qualitative descriptive orientation, informed by Braun and Clarke's phases of thematic analysis. Two researchers initially coded the responses independently and subsequently compared and refined the coding framework through discussion.

Results

Four major themes were identified: (1) functional limitations shape perceived medication-use challenges; (2) pharmacists perceive safety concerns at multiple points in medication use; (3) proposed function-adapted strategies for medication management; and (4) organizational conditions perceived to support function-adapted care. Participants reported challenges with medication packaging, dosage forms, administration devices, medication information, self-management, caregiver dependence, refills, and treatment continuity. They also proposed strategies, including functional assessment, personalized counseling, caregiver education, adapted packaging and dosage forms, medication review, assistive tools, alternative access services, and standardized institutional procedures.

Conclusions

Pharmacists identified several ways disability-related functional limitations could complicate medication use and proposed potential adaptations at the patient, pharmacist, and organizational levels. These strategies should be viewed as hypotheses and considerations for practice rather than proven medication-safety interventions. Further research that incorporates patient and caregiver perspectives and directly measures medication-use outcomes is needed.