The role of pharmacist in the treatment of patientes with scabies: when pharmaceutical care is essential

Authors

  • Judit Perales Pascual Hospital Nuestra Señora de Gracia. Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Zaragoza https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9928-9734
  • Ana López Pérez Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet. Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Zaragoza https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6967-3575
  • María López Pérez Hospital Universitario de Burgos. Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Burgos
  • Silvia Vázquez Sufuentes Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet. Servicio de Neurocirugía, Zaragoza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60103/phc.v27.e885

Keywords:

Pharmaceutical care; scabies; ivermectin; permethrin

Abstract

Introduction: Scabies or sarcoptosis affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by intense pruritus and is primarily transmitted through direct contact. The main objective of this study is to describe the pharmaceutical care (PC) process in patients with permethrin resistance, analyzing its incidence in 2019-2020. The secondary objective is to emphasize the importance of correct administration and adherence to the permethrin treatment.

Method: The study describes the PC service provided to patients infested with Sarcoptes scabiei in the outpatient unit (UPEX) between 2019-2020, including dispensing and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up. The following variables were recorded: sex, age, family relationships, relapses-reinfection, and interactions. A descriptive analysis was performed using Excel®.

Results: In the study, 91 patients received ivermectin treatment between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, there was a significant increase in cases (83 vs 8 in 2019). 26.9% of the families experienced reinfections. PC focused on educating patients about hygienic-sanitary measures, environmental factors, adherence, and correct administration of treatments. 79.1% of the patients did not apply the permethrin treatment correctly.

Conclusions: The number of scabies cases increased significantly from 2019 to 2020, reflecting a rising incidence and prevalence in Spain. This increase highlights the importance of pharmacists' knowledge regarding treatment-hygiene measures and the need for proper pharmaceutical care when dispensing permethrin and ivermectin in community pharmacies. Reinfections were mainly observed due to the failure to treat all contacts simultaneously and non-compliance with hygienic measures.

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Author Biographies

Judit Perales Pascual, Hospital Nuestra Señora de Gracia. Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Zaragoza

Currently, I am a specialist in hospital pharmacy at the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Hospital. During the period of ivermectin dispensing from the hospital pharmacy, I worked as a pharmacist in the outpatient unit of the Miguel Servet University Hospital

Ana López Pérez, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet. Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Zaragoza

Currently, she is a specialist in hospital pharmacy at the Miguel Servet University Hospital (HUMS) in Zaragoza. During the data collection and provision of pharmaceutical services in the outpatient unit of HUMS."

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Perales Pascual, J., López Pérez, A., López Pérez, M., & Vázquez Sufuentes, S. (2025). The role of pharmacist in the treatment of patientes with scabies: when pharmaceutical care is essential. Pharmaceutical Care España, 27. https://doi.org/10.60103/phc.v27.e885

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