Introduction: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic—when many health services were inaccessible—the role of community pharmacists became particularly prominent, playing key roles in pharmaceutical care and patient education. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacy staff regarding the conditions of medication supply and patterns of self-medication, with a focus on antimicrobials, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured, focus-group interviews with community pharmacy staff in the Southern Great Plain of Hungary. Data collection was carried out between 15/05/2020 and 15/02/2021, using a non-probability sampling approach. Interviews were conducted online via the Zoom™ videoconference platform, transcribed manually, and analysed via thematic analysis through an inductive approach. A total of N=16 pharmacists participated across four focus groups (3–5 participants per group). Recruitment continued until saturation was achieved, i.e. when no new relevant information emerged. The study followed the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.
Results: Of the participants, 11/16 were women, and their median age was 35 years (range: 26–57); 6/16 had board certifications in pharmacy management. The following major themes were identified: (i) the role of the National eHealth Infrastructure (EESzT) and e-prescriptions during the pandemic; (ii) the emergence and monitoring of COVID-19 “miracle cures” (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, azelastine) and medicines “to be avoided” (e.g., ibuprofen, ACE inhibitors); and (iii) the legitimization of inappropriate antibiotic use through "defensive medicine”.
Conclusions: Rapid dissemination of health-related information—regardless of its basis in evidence—shaped public interest in the perceived efficacy and availability of certain medicines; the trend of "information noise” generated by the media was clearly reflected in community pharmacies. Patterns of antibiotic self-medication have also shifted, as many patients obtained antimicrobials through physician prescriptions issued for “prophylactic” purposes during the pandemic.
