Willingness to Pay for Clinical Pharmacy Services Among People With Diabetes in Nigerian Community Pharmacies

• Published in: Value in health regional issues 2023-05, Vol.35, p.95-101
• Main Authors: Jackson, Idongesit L., Isah, Abdulmuminu, Arikpo, Abam O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: clinical pharmacy; community pharmacist; Cross-Sectional Studies; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - drug therapy; Humans; Income; Nigeria; Pharmacies; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; willingness to pay
• ISSN: 2212-1099; 2212-1102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2023.01.008

This study aimed to assess willingness to pay (WTP) for clinical pharmacy services among people with diabetes and to determine the factors affecting WTP for these services. This was a cross-sectional exit survey of 450 people with diabetes visiting 15 community pharmacies in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, between August and September 2021. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to eligible patients just before leaving the community pharmacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 25.0). Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Response rate was 87.3%. Two hundred respondents (50.9%) were willing to pay an average amount of US$2.83 (minimum-maximum, US$0.12-US$24.27) for clinical pharmacy services. The two most often cited reasons for those who were unwilling to pay were their inability to pay and their opposition to paying for any healthcare services. Employment status (P < .001), personal monthly income (P < .001), satisfaction with income (P < .001), household monthly income (P < .001), health insurance coverage (P < .001), insulin use (P < .001), perception of the pharmacist’s relevance in healthcare (P = .013) and in diabetes care (P < .001), and satisfaction with the pharmacist’s services (P < .001) significantly affected WTP choices. None of the patient characteristics predicted the maximum amounts patients were willing to pay. Many of the people with diabetes assessed were willing to pay for clinical services at a reasonable price. Although most patient variables affected their WTP choices, none of the variables predicted the maximum amount they were willing to pay. For possible remuneration for clinical services, community pharmacists should continue to grow their practices and stay current with patient care. •People with diabetes regularly visit community pharmacies for specialized diabetes-related services. Presently, in Nigeria, pharmacists often provide these services free of charge.•Many people with diabetes surveyed would pay for clinical pharmacy services at a reasonable price. No patient sociodemographic variable predicted the exact amount patients were willing to pay for the services.•If people with diabetes value and are satisfied with clinical pharmacy services, they may be willing to pay for them. For possible remuneration for clinical services, community pharmacists should continue to grow their practices and stay current with patient care.