Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Pharmacist’s Role in the Management of Tuberculosis Disease in the Belagavi District of Karnataka, India

Background: In India, implementing the pharmacy education among the pharmacists takes a difficult challenge. Pharmacist role in the eradication of tuberculosis in India has not been evaluated in terms of its challenges and constraints. There is a need to take action about awareness of eradication of tuberculosis among pharmacists. Therefore, our study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception among pharmacists in treating tuberculosis disease. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 25th September 2022 as a one-day training programme in Belagavi, Karnataka state, India. A group of selected stake holders were invited. The training programme was conducted by the department of Pharmacy Practice, KLE college of Pharmacy, Belagavi in association with District Tuberculosis office and regional office of Deputy Drugs Controller, Belagavi, India. Results: A total of 237 pharmacists are responded. There was a lesser number of pharmacists were trained for TB infection prevention (30%), and aware about Nikshay portal (40%). Most pharmacists were aware about anti-TB drugs comes under schedule H (80%). TB Patients complaint about their treatment to pharmacists (06%), only few pharmacists are trained to treat TB patient’s treatment complaints (40%) and aware about National Strategic Plan 2017-2025 for elimination of TB (80%). Conclusion: In our survey, it was observed that there is a moderate gap difference in knowledge, attitude and perception in management of TB infection among the pharmacists. There is a need of implementing the training programmes to educate the pharmacists about the management and elimination of TB from India by 2025.