Healthcare professionals use a variety of drug information sources to fulfill their clinical needs
and medical practice. The aim of present study was to assess the sources of drug information
among hospital’ prescribers and evaluate their prescribing behavior in Saudi hospitals. A
cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected hospital’ prescribers using a
self-administered questionnaire. The response rate to the survey was 64.29%, with a ratio of
76.44% male and 23.56% female. The internet 137(60.89%) and textbooks 86(38.22%) were the
prevalent sources for drug information used. Up-To-Date 107(47.56%), Medscape 105(46.67%)
and FDA 74(32.88%) were the common electronic drug sources used. About 151(67.11%) of
hospital’ prescribers considered the pharmacist as a reliable drug information source. The most
favored drug requests by hospital’ prescribers from the pharmacists were drug alternatives
110(48.89%) followed by drug interactions 94(41.78%), side effects 78(34.67%) and indications
60(26.67%). Therapeutic efficacy 168(74.67%) and drug availability 73(32.44%) were the main
factors contributed to the selection of drugs. This study shows some differences in hospital
prescribers’ perceptions of sources of drug information depending upon their background and
clinical practice. Therefore, knowing appropriate drug information used by hospital’ prescribers
is fundamental for drug efficacy and safety in clinical practice.

Background and Objectives: Pharmacists play a major role in serving patients and delivering
pharmaceutical services to the community. It is unclear whether the public fully appreciates what
pharmacists can do as key health care providers. This study aims to examine public perceptions of
community pharmacists and levels of satisfaction with pharmacy services. Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a randomly selected sample population (n = 1000) in
Saudi Arabia over a period of six months from January through June 2019. A 40-item, structured,
self-administered questionnaire was used, comprised of questions on the demographics characteristics
of the respondents and their satisfaction with pharmacy services. Descriptive statistics were used
to analyze the data. Results: The response rate of the survey was 76.92%. Public opinions were
influenced by pharmacists’ availability and knowledge, service promptness, and counseling services.
Overall, 80.5% of respondents agreed that community pharmacists treat them with respect. Doctors
were identified as the preferred source of drug therapy consultation by 58.7% and pharmacists by
41.29%. About 72.8% of respondents agreed that pharmacists provided them with clear instructions
about medication use, and 70.2% trusted pharmacists’ opinions about medications. About 62.5% of
respondents expressed satisfaction with pharmacists, and 64.8% with pharmacy services. Conclusions:
Customers’ opinions were influenced by pharmacists’ availability and knowledge, pharmacy service
promptness, pharmacy location, waiting area, medication knowledge, and counseling. However,
the public was greatly satisfied with community pharmacists’ professionalism and pharmaceutical
services. This positive perception provides an opportunity for pharmacists to extend their roles as
healthcare professionals.