Abstract
Objectives
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.
Methods
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.
Results
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), satisfaction with income ( P .001) significantly affected WTP choices. None of the patient characteristics predicted the maximum amounts patients were willing to pay.
Conclusions
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.
Authors
Idongesit L. Jackson Abdulmuminu Isah Abam O. Arikpo