Skip to main content
PMC home page
Frontiers in Pharmacology logoLink to Frontiers in Pharmacology
. 2020 Oct 2;11:555753. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.555753

Mapping Evidence of Pharmacy Services for COVID-19 in China

Zhan-Miao Yi 1,2,3,†, Yang Hu 1,2,3,4, Guan-Ru Wang 1,2,3,4, Rong-Sheng Zhao 1,2,3,*
PMCID: PMC7565267  PMID: 33117160

Abstract

Objective

To explore the role of pharmacists and innovation of pharmacy interventions for COVID-19 patients in China.

Methods

We comprehensively searched PubMed and Chinese databases Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure to identify articles reporting pharmacist interventions and pharmacy services for COVID-19 patients using a predefined search strategy. The search period was from inception to April 7th 2020. We also manually searched the reference list of included articles and websites of important journals with special issues for COVID-19.

Results

A total of 156 articles were identified by applying the search criteria. After screening, 91 articles, with the majority are literature reviews (n = 77, 84.62%) published in Chinese (n = 83, 91.2%), were included. Pharmacist interventions for COVID-19 patients most commonly related to guidelines or consensus development for the treatment of disease and practice procedure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (n = 10, 10.98%), the supply of medicines to treat patients with severe respiratory or systematic symptoms related to COVID-19 (n = 10, 10.98%), formulating infections prevention and control strategies related to COVID-19 for pharmaceutical personnel/pharmacy staff (n = 14, 15.39%), new way of delivery pharmacy services and the implementation of new pharmacy services for COVID-19 outbreak (n = 14, 15.39%), routine pharmacy services under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak (n = 39, 42.86%), and case series analysis of treatment regimens using existing, routinely collected data (n = 4, 4.40%).

Conclusion

Pharmacy services have a role in the COVID-19 pandemic control, and there were many rapid changes in response to the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19, pharmacy service, guideline development, emergency supply, service model innovation, treatment regimens

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic began in December 2019 in China and had spread to 210 countries and territories around the world with 4,731,458 confirmed cases as of May 19th 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020a). The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared COVID-19 epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30th 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020b). On March 12th, the WHO had declared COVID-19 epidemic a “pandemic” worldwide (World Health Organization, 2020c).

After the COVID-19 outbreak, China issued a series of emergency plans and took effective measures to control the pandemic in a timely manner. And the COVID-19 has been well-controlled in China through strenuous efforts during February 1st to April 7th. On March 4th, 21 provinces in China lowered the emergency response levels. On March 19th 2020, China reported no domestic new cases at the first time, indicating the ending of the first prevail peak period of COVID-19 in China. On April 7th, the Chinese government put forward guidelines related to actively and orderly promoting the resumption of production (Leading Group of the Central Committee on Response to COVID-19, 2020). However, as China is now facing the risk of COVID-19 rebound and most countries around the world are still at the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, more evidence and experience are needed to successfully prevent and treat infections (Omer et al., 2020), especially for healthcare practitioners. Due to the government’s mobilization ability and Chinese medical personnel’s responsibility and courage, medical staff quickly participated in the prevention and treatment of the epidemic. For example, there were more than 42,000 medical staff supporting Hubei province in China (National Health Commission of People’s Republic of China, 2020). Meanwhile, medical resources were scientifically scheduled for COVID-19 patients at different stages. Pharmacists, as healthcare practitioner, are actively participating in the fight during the outbreak (Al-Quteimat and Amer, 2020). Pharmacists’ important role in preventing and controlling COVID-19 has been highly stressed in International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) guidance for pharmacists (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020) and the experts consensus of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association (Zhao et al., 2020a). Besides, several studies had indicated that pharmacists have a role in evidence-based therapy, monitoring and management of convalescent plasma therapy during COVID-19 pandemic in addition to the routine pharmaceutical service such as assessing patients’ previous medication history, drug allergy history, adverse drug reactions, and drug interactions (Martin et al., 2018; Song Z. W. et al., 2020).

As the forefront of the outbreak, pharmacists in China have responded rapidly to COVID-19. In the FIP guidance, community pharmacists can comfort patients, contact the health department to initiate relevant care programs, inform the public about health information about isolation, diagnosis, and treatment related procedures, and provide evidence-based information (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020). In China, pharmaceutical care was provided for COVID-19 patients and the public, and guidelines of clinical therapy and strategy for controlling the pandemic were promptly established and submitted to the International Pharmaceutical Federation (Zhao et al., 2020a). Moreover, many preliminary research for anti-viral treatment drugs were initiated. However, the whole picture of role of pharmacists for COVID-19 was still unclear. As China is the first country that managed the COVID-19 outbreak, the document of such experiences will be a beneficial lesson for managing the future infectious disease pandemics to come. Mapping the strategies and evidence-based strategies/measures will help further policy decision making. At the same time, the outbreak of COVID-19 has suddenly changed people’ daily life and posed challenges to the routine pharmaceutical service. As patients are under quarantine at home or in hospitals, some new ways to deliver pharmaceutical service are necessary when there is no chance of face-to-face consultation between pharmacists and patients.

Thus, we conducted a scoping review to summarize currently published articles by pharmacists, to provide information regarding content and innovation of pharmacy services for COVID-19 in China.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted following the methodological framework suggested by Arksey and O’Malley (2005).

Search Strategy

We searched PubMed and two Chinese databases including Sinomed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to April 7th 2020 to identify articles reporting findings related to pharmacy service for COVID-19. On April 7th, China announced that most areas in the country were in low risk and published the guidance for the prevention and control measures for getting back to work in different risk areas of the country (The State Council of the People’s Republic of China, 2020). The search terms included the following keywords: “COVID-19,” “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,” “2019-nCoV,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “Novel coronavirus,” “nCoV,” “Emerging Coronaviruses,” “new coronavirus,” “pharmacist,” “pharmacy,” “pharmaceutical care,” “pharmaceutical service,” and “medication therapy management.” Terms were translated into Chinese when searching the Chinese databases. We also manually searched the reference list of the included articles and websites of important journals as a supplementary source for relevant literature, such as Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, Chinese Pharmaceutical Journal, China Pharmacy, Clinical Medication Journal, and Adverse Drug Reactions Journal with special issues for COVID-19. We included all the relevant publications written in English or Chinese and had no limits on the type of pharmacy service or on the country in which the service was provided. All types of publications were considered, such as original studies, reviews, editorials, commentaries, and conference preceding.

Study Identification and Selection

Two investigators (YH and GR-W) independently screen the references of all retrieved records for potentially relevant articles, beginning with title and abstract screening in the first stage and full-text screening in the second. In the title and abstract screening stage, articles appearing to meet the inclusion criteria, or with insufficient information to make a clear judgment, were included in the full-text screening process. We obtained full texts of all these articles for the full-text screening. We included publications if they reported on pharmacy services for COVID-19 patients where either a description of the content or outcomes of pharmacy service was given. All types of publications were included. All disagreements about study selection were resolved through discussion \medicines to treat patients with severe respiratory or systematic symptoms related to COVID-19, 3) formulating infections prevention and control strategies related to COVID-19 for pharmaceutical personnel/pharmacy staff, 4) new way of delivery pharmacy services and the implementation of new pharmacy services for COVID-19 outbreak, 5) routine pharmacy services under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak, and 6) case series analysis of treatment regimens using existing, routinely collected data.

Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

Data extraction was performed by the same two investigators (YH and GR-W) using a pre-designed data collection tool. The following information was extracted from included publications: first author, publication date, type of study, content and changes of pharmacy services in response to the pandemic. Two investigators independently assessed the methodological quality of included studies. We evaluate the quality of the eligible guidelines with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument (AGREE Next Steps Consortium, 2017). The methodological quality of eligible observational studies was evaluated with the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual (Moola et al., 2020).

Results

Study Selection and Characteristics of Included Literatures

The initial search identified 156 relevant records, with a further two additional records identified through other sources (journal websites). Of these, 68 were excluded after duplicates were removed and title/abstract screening, leaving 94 papers eligible for full-text review. Ninety one articles that met the inclusion criteria were finally included (Bian et al., 2020a; Bian et al., 2020b; Cao et al., 2020; Che et al., 2020; Chen et al., 2020a; Chen et al., 2020b; Chen F. et al., 2020; Chen J. Z. et al., 2020; Chen L. F. et al., 2020; Chen L. P. et al., 2020; Chen M. et al., 2020; Chen Y. W. et al., 2020; Dong et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020; Duan et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2020; Gong et al., 2020a; Gong et al., 2020b; Guo et al., 2020; Gu et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020; He L. L. et al., 2020; He S. Z. et al., 2020; Hu C. J. et al., 2020; Hu Z. Q. et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2020a; Huang et al., 2020b; Huang L. F. et al., 2020; Jin et al., 2020; Li G. H. et al., 2020; Li Q. C. et al., 2020; Lin and Zhang, 2020; Liu and Yan, 2020; Liu X. X. et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020a; Jin et al., 2020; Li H. et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020b; Liu X. L. et al., 2020; Liu Y. et al., 2020; Meng et al., 2020; Peng et al., 2020; Rao et al., 2020; Shao et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2020; Song B. et al., 2020; Song Z. W. et al., 2020; Tan et al., 2020; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association et al., 2020; Ung, 2020; Wang, 2020; Wang J. W. et al., 2020; Wang N. N. et al., 2020; Wang R. R. et al., 2020; Wang Y. et al., 2020; Wei et al., 2020; Xie et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020a; Xiong et al., 2020b; Xu X. H. et al., 2020; Xu Y. X. et al., 2020; Yang Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020a; Yang et al., 2020b; Yan J. L. et al., 2020; Yan Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yang M. Y. et al., 2020; Yang Y. et al., 2020; Yang C. et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang Y. H. et al., 2020; Yi et al., 2020; Yin et al., 2020; Ying et al., 2020; Yuan et al., 2020; Zeng et al., 2020; Zhang D. et al., 2020; Zhang J. H. et al., 2020; Zhang L. et al., 2020; Zhang X. Q. et al., 2020; Zhang Y. L. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. H. et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2020a; Zhao et al., 2020b; Zhao et al., 2020c; Zhou H. et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020; Zhou W. et al., 2020; Zhu S. Y. et al., 2020; Zhu Y. G. et al., 2020). Figure 1 provides details of the reasons for excluding articles from this review.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Open in a new tab

Flow diagram for literature search and study selection.

Research Domains, Publication Dates, and Methodological Characteristics

Most of the publications (n = 83, 91.2%) (Bian et al., 2020a; Bian et al., 2020b; Cao et al., 2020; Che et al., 2020; Chen et al., 2020a; Chen et al., 2020b; Chen F. et al., 2020; Chen J. Z. et al., 2020; Chen L. F. et al., 2020; Chen L. P. et al., 2020; Chen M. et al., 2020; Chen Y. W. et al., 2020; Dong et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020; Duan et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2020; Gong et al., 2020a; Gong et al., 2020b; Gu et al., 2020; Guo et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020; He L. L. et al., 2020; He S. Z. et al., 2020; Hu C. J. et al., 2020; Hu Z. Q. et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2020a; Huang et al., 2020b; Huang L. F. et al., 2020; Jin et al., 2020; Li G. H. et al., 2020; Li Q. C. et al., 2020; Lin and Zhang, 2020; Liu and Yan, 2020; Liu X. X. et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020b; Liu X. L. et al., 2020; Liu Y. et al., 2020; Peng et al., 2020; Rao et al., 2020; Shao et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2020; Song B. et al., 2020; Tan et al., 2020; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association et al., 2020; Wei et al., 2020; Wang, 2020; Wang J. W. et al., 2020; Wang N. N. et al., 2020; Wang R. R. et al., 2020; Wang Y. et al., 2020; Xie et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020a; Xiong et al., 2020b; Xu X. H. et al., 2020; Xu Y. X. et al., 2020; Yan J. L. et al., 2020; Yan Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020b; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang Y. H. et al., 2020; Yang Y. Y. et al., 2020;Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020a; ; Yang M. Y. et al., 2020; Yang Y. et al., 2020; Yang C. et al., 2020; Yi et al., 2020; Yin et al., 2020; Yuan et al., 2020; Zeng et al., 2020; Zhang D. et al., 2020; Zhang J. H. et al., 2020; Zhang L. et al., 2020; Zhang X. Q. et al., 2020; Zhang Y. L. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. H. et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2020a; Zhao et al., 2020b; Zhao et al., 2020c; Zhou H. et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020; Zhu S. Y. et al., 2020; Zhu Y. G. et al., 2020) are in Chinese and few (n = 8, 8.8%) are in English (Song Z. W. et al., 2020; Zhou W. et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020a; Meng et al., 2020; Li H. et al., 2020; Ying et al., 2020; Ung, 2020). The publications mainly focused on routine pharmacy services under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak (42.86%) ( Table 1 ). Most of articles were published in March 2020, with increased articles on retrospective analysis of treatment regimens ( Figure 2 ).

Table 1.

Research domains of included articles.

Research domains English literature Chinese literature Total
n % n % n %
Guideline or consensus development 0 0 10 10.98 10 10.98
The supply of medicines for COVID-19 1 1.10 9 9.88 10 10.98
Formulating infections prevention and control strategies related to COVID-19 1 1.10 13 14.29 14 15.39
New way of delivery pharmacy services and new pharmacy services for COVID-19 3 3.30 11 12.09 14 15.39
Routine pharmacy services under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak 3 3.30 36 39.56 39 42.86
Case series analysis of treatment regimens 0 0 4 4.40 4 4.40
Open in a new tab

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Open in a new tab

Contents and publication dates of included articles.

We also analyzed the methodological characteristics of the publications in the final sample. The majority of included articles are literature review (n = 77, 84.62%), and others were guidelines/consensus (n = 10, 10.99%) and original research (n = 4, 4.40%).

Geographic Distributions of Pharmacy Service Literatures

Pharmacists from 18 provinces of China published Chinese and English articles on pharmacy service, with pharmacists from Beijing (n = 26, 28.57%) (Dong et al., 2020; Guo et al., 2020; International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020; Jin et al., 2020; Li H. et al., 2020; Liu and Yan, 2020; Lin and Zhang, 2020; Song Z. W. et al., 2020; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association et al., 2020; Xu X. H. et al., 2020; Yan J. L. et al., 2020; Yan Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang M. Y. et al., 2020; Yang Y. H. et al., 2020; Yi et al., 2020; Yin et al., 2020; Zhang D. et al., 2020; Zhang L. et al., 2020; Zhang Y. L. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. H. et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2020b; Zhao et al., 2020c; Zheng et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020; Zhou W. et al., 2020), Sichuan (n = 14, 15.38%) (Bian et al., 2020a; Bian et al., 2020b; Chen M. et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020; He L. L. et al., 2020; Hu C. J. et al., 2020; Hu Z. Q. et al., 2020; Li Q. C. et al., 2020; Liu X. X. et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020a; Xiong et al., 2020b; Yang Y. et al., 2020), and Hubei (n = 14, 15.38%) (Chen et al., 2020a; Chen J. Z. et al., 2020; Gong et al., 2020a; Gong et al., 2020b; Gu et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2020a; Huang et al., 2020b; Li G. H. et al., 2020; Liu X. L. et al., 2020; Liu Y. et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020a; Yang et al., 2020b; Zhou H. et al., 2020) published most of the articles ( Figure 3 ). Statistics on the geographic areas of pharmacy workers who published papers in China can explain to a certain extent the differences in the level of medical technology in different regions of China and the speed with which pharmacy workers respond to epidemics.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Open in a new tab

Geographic distributions of pharmacy service articles for COVID-19 in China.

Contents of Pharmacy Services

For contents of included 91 articles, 39 articles (42.86%) were related to routine pharmacy services under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak (Bian et al., 2020a; Cao et al., 2020; Che et al., 2020; Chen et al., 2020a; Chen L. P. et al., 2020; Chen M. et al., 2020; Chen Y. W. et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020; Duan et al., 2020; Guo et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020; Hu Z. Q. et al., 2020; Lin and Zhang, 2020; Li Q. C. et al., 2020; Liu and Yan, 2020; Liu X. X. et al., 2020; Peng et al., 2020; Shao et al., 2020; Song B. et al., 2020; Song Z. W. et al., 2020; Wang, 2020; Wang Y. et al., 2020; Wang R. R. et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020a; Xiong et al., 2020b; Yang C. et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020a; Yang et al., 2020b; Yan J. L. et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yang M. Y. et al., 2020; Yi et al., 2020; Zhang D. et al., 2020; Zhang J. H. et al., 2020; Zhang Y. L. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. H. et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020; Zhou W. et al., 2020; Zhu S. Y. et al., 2020), 14 articles (15.39%) focused on new way of delivery pharmacy services to reduce face-to-face contact using innovative technologies and the implementation of new pharmacy services for COVID-19 outbreak (16.28%) (Liu et al., 2020a; Meng et al., 2020; Huang L. F. et al., 2020; Yang Y. Y. et al., 2020; Zeng et al., 2020; Bian et al., 2020b; Gao et al., 2020; He L. L. et al., 2020; Gu et al., 2020; Li H. et al., 2020; Gong et al., 2020a; Gong et al., 2020b; Chen F. et al., 2020; Yang Y. et al., 2020), 14 articles (15.39%) focused on the formulation of infections prevention and control strategies for pharmacy workforce (Chen J. Z. et al., 2020; Chen L. F. et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2020; Tan et al., 2020; Ung, 2020; Wang N. N. et al., 2020; Wei et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yan Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yuan et al., 2020; Zhang X. Q. et al., 2020; Zhou H. et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020), 10 articles (10.99%) were guidelines or expert consensus (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020; Jin et al., 2020; Li G. H. et al., 2020; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association et al., 2020; Wang J. W. et al., 2020; Yang Y. H. et al., 2020; Zhang L. et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2020b; Zhao et al., 2020c; Zhu Y. G. et al., 2020), 10 articles (10.99%) introduced the supply of medicines for COVID-19 during pandemic in China (Dong et al., 2020; He S. Z. et al., 2020; Hu C. J. et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020b; Liu X. L. et al., 2020; Liu Y. et al., 2020; Rao et al., 2020; Xie et al., 2020; Xu X. H. et al., 2020; Ying et al., 2020), and 4 articles (4.40%) were case series analysis of the effectiveness and safety of treatment regimens for COVID-19 (Chen et al., 2020b; Huang et al., 2020a; Huang et al., 2020b; Xu Y. X. et al., 2020) ( Figure 4 ).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Open in a new tab

Sunburst plot of pharmacy service articles for COVID-19 in China. *Some articles focused on more than one content in the subgroups.

Guideline or Consensus Development

These articles introduced work guidance on drug management and usage in special periods and the plan and response strategy by Chinese pharmacy personnel for COVID-19 pandemic situation from a macro perspective. The domains that scored better were: “scope and purpose” (all included guidelines/consensus exceeding the cut-off of 70%) and “clarity and presentation” (5 of 10 included guidelines/consensus exceeding the cut-off of 70%). Those that scored worse were “stakeholder involvement” and “rigour of development” (none of the included guidelines/consensus exceeding the cut-off of 70%). Two of the included guidelines/consensus had three domains exceeded the cut-off of 70% (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020; Zhao et al., 2020b), while others had only one or two domains exceeded the cut-off of 70%. Topics of guidelines or expert consensus included practice principles prevention and control strategies for hospital or retail pharmacy (n = 5) (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2020; Wang J. W. et al., 2020; Yang Y. H. et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2020b; Zhao et al., 2020c), COVID-19 drug information compilation (n = 1) (Zhu Y. G. et al., 2020), traditional Chinese medicine (n = 1) (Jin et al., 2020), pharmaceutical care for oncology patient population (n = 1) (Li G. H. et al., 2020) COVID-19 patients with complications (n = 1) (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association et al., 2020), and pharmaceutical care with digital technology (n = 1) (Zhang L. et al., 2020). For example, the “Novel Coronavirus Infection: Expert Consensus on Guidance and Prevention Strategies for Hospital Pharmacists and the Pharmacy Workforce” formulated by Peking University Third Hospital has carried out analysis and summary of relevant data in the process of epidemic prevention and control (Zhu Y. G. et al., 2020). The consensus of the expert was published on February 7th, when there were relatively limited information and response measures for COVID-19. The expert consensus summarized information needed to continue pharmacy services during the epidemic, and provided reference and experience for Chinese pharmacy personnel in a timely manner.

The Supply of Medicines for COVID-19

Topics of these articles covered the emergency management model set up (n = 5) (Dong et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2020b; Rao et al., 2020; Xie et al., 2020; Ying et al., 2020) and the management of designated hospitals (n = 2) (Liu X. L. et al., 2020; Liu Y. et al., 2020), donated medicines (n = 2) (He S. Z. et al., 2020; Xu X. H. et al., 2020), and drug storage (n = 1) (Hu C. J. et al., 2020) in hospital pharmacy. For example, the study “Pharmaceutical emergency guarantee difficulties and countermeasures for the prevention and control of outbreak of COVID-19” by Xiangya Hospital published in February summarized four main issues on the supply of medicine for epidemic prevention and control (Liu et al., 2020b).

Formulating Infections Prevention and Control Strategies

These articles analyze and summarize training of pharmacists during the epidemic, methods of wearing personal protective equipment, disinfection measures, psychological counseling, etc, aiming to reduce risk of infection of pharmacy staff and strengthen the health management of pharmacy staff. Topics covered hospital pharmacists (n = 7) (Chen J. Z. et al., 2020; Tan et al., 2020; Yang L. et al., 2020; Yan Y. Y. et al., 2020; Yin et al., 2020; Zhang X. Q. et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020), community pharmacists (n = 1) (Ung, 2020), pharmacy in clinics specially for fever patients or emergency room or outpatient pharmacy (n = 5) (Chen L. F. et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2020; Wang N. N. et al., 2020; Yuan et al., 2020; Zhou P. X. et al., 2020), therapeutic drug monitoring laboratory (n = 1) (Zhou H. et al., 2020). Workforce in the drug monitoring laboratory also has a high risk of infection. One study by pharmacists in Wuhan formulated detailed prevention and control strategies for pharmacists conducting therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and provided experience for the development of personal protection, prevention, and control strategies for pharmacists of the same position (Zhou H. et al., 2020). During the epidemic period, pharmacists conducting TDM should handle a large number of blood samples every day, thus the occupational exposure protection and the management of laboratory biological safety were very important.

New Way of Delivery Pharmacy Services and New Pharmacy Services for COVID-19

Topics of these articles covered pharmaceutical care in Fangcang sheltered hospitals (n = 6) (Chen F. et al., 2020; Gong et al., 2020a; Gong et al., 2020b; Gu et al., 2020; Meng et al., 2020; Yang Y. et al., 2020), telepharmaceutical care (n = 5) (Gao et al., 2020; He L. L. et al., 2020; Li H. et al., 2020; Yang Y. Y. et al., 2020; Zeng et al., 2020), and other articles on innovative pharmacy service models (n = 3) (Liu et al., 2020a; Huang L. F. et al., 2020; Bian et al., 2020b), such as applying models and practical methods to ensure the quality and accessibility of pharmacy services. In the study “The practice and discussion of the online pharmaceutical service mode in square cabin hospital” by pharmacists in the frontline of the Fangcang shelter hospitals explored online methods such as WeChat to provide pharmacy services such as medication reconciliation and patient education (Gong et al., 2020b). The shelter hospital, a new public health initiative in a special period, is built by a number of movable modules and has many functions such as emergency treatment and clinical testing. As a necessary functional module for the shelter hospital, the shelter pharmacy played an important role in ensuring the supply of medicines for COVID-19 patients. This article explored new way of delivering pharmacy services for different patients in shelter hospital, and showed the responsibility and creativity of Chinese pharmacists during the pandemic.

Routine Pharmacy Services Under the Restrict Limit of COVID-19 Outbreak

These articles mainly introduced the key points of patient monitoring during the epidemic, including off-label use, safety use of drugs in clinical trials, and special populations. Topics covered medication information (n = 12) (Bian et al., 2020a; Cao et al., 2020; Che et al., 2020; Chen Y. W. et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020; Liu and Yan, 2020; Liu X. X. et al., 2020; Yang M. Y. et al., 2020; Yan J. L. et al., 2020; Zhang J. H. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. H. et al., 2020; Zhou W. et al., 2020), usage of traditional Chinese medicine (n = 6) (Chen et al., 2020a; Duan et al., 2020; Lin and Zhang, 2020; Yang C. et al., 2020; Wang, 2020; Zhang Y. L. et al., 2020), pharmaceutical care (n = 15) (Guo et al., 2020; Hu Z. Q. et al., 2020; Li Q. C. et al., 2020; Shao et al., 2020; Song B. et al., 2020; Song Z. W. et al., 2020; Peng et al., 2020; Wang R. R. et al., 2020; Wang Y. et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020a; Xiong et al., 2020b; Yang et al., 2020a; Yang et al., 2020b; Yang L. et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2020), evidence based review for interferon and lopinavir/ritonavir (n = 2) (Chen M. et al., 2020; Yi et al., 2020), and drug surveillance (n = 4) (Chen L. P. et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020; Zhang D. et al., 2020; Zhu S. Y. et al., 2020).

Case Series Analysis of Treatment Regimens Using Routinely Collected Data

In general, the quality of included case series was good [two scored 16 (Chen et al., 2020b; Xu Y. X. et al., 2020) and another two scored 18 (Huang et al., 2020a; Huang et al., 2020b) of 20 points]. Case-series study by Chen et al. indicated that all patients of 131 cases with COVID-19 treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Ganlu Xiaodu Decoction and other medicine were cured and discharged (Chen et al., 2020b) and indicated a certain effectiveness for COVID-19. However, the rationality and safety of such therapeutic schedule still need further verification. Another case-series study of 71 patients with COVID-19 by Huang et al. indicated that the combination therapy of α-interferon, arbidol, high-dose vitamin C, and TCM were effective (Huang et al., 2020a). The remaining two articles retrospectively reviewed the safety of therapeutic schedule for COVID-19 (Huang et al., 2020b; Xu Y. X. et al., 2020). Xu et al. observed the adverse drug reactions of lopinavir/ritonavir for severe COVID-19 infection in seven patients (Xu Y. X. et al., 2020) and indicated that lopinavir/ritonavir could cause serious adverse drug reactions and that safety monitoring was needed. Huang et al. conducted a case-series study of 71 confirmed case of COVID-19 and indicated that inappropriate application of antibiotics for COVID-19 should be avoided and multi-drug combinations could increase the risk of adverse drug reactions (Huang et al., 2020b).

Discussion

The first evidence map with a total of 91 articles provided a comprehensive summary of articles of pharmacy services in the early stage in response to the COVID-19 in China. Majority are providing routine pharmaceutical care and medication information, especially for special population under the restrict limit of COVID-19 outbreak, prevention and control strategies for hospital pharmacy, clinics specially for fever patients or emergency room, and emergency management model set up. Pharmaceutical care in Fangcang shelter hospitals is new pharmacy service and tele-pharmaceutical care is the main new way to deliver pharmacy service during the pandemic. The included articles were mainly literature reviews in Chinese from three provinces published during March, with Beijing and Sichuan having strong academic capabilities and Hubei the epic center of COVID-19 (Yan et al., 2012).

As the earliest country to fight against COVID-19, the published articles provided important experience of pharmacists in China at the frontline. In the initial stage of the pandemic (February 1st 2020 to February 15th 2020), pharmacists acted quickly mainly to formulate infection prevention and control strategies and to give suggestions on providing routine pharmaceutical care in response to the outbreak. The emergency management models of supplying of medicine for COVID-19 began to be set up at the same time. In the development stage of the first prevail peak period of the pandemic in China (February 16th 2020 to March 18th 2020), pharmacists mainly involved in patient management, formulating guidelines and consensus, and updating infections prevention and control strategies as the pandemic situation changes. Meanwhile, pharmacists were actively innovating the new ways of delivery pharmacy services and new pharmacy services for COVID-19. From March 19th 2020 to April 7th 2020, pharmacists consolidated evidence on the effectiveness of anti-epidemic, resumed medical work properly, and summarized the work experience in the pandemic to better respond to public health emergencies in the future.

However, our study has several limitations. Firstly, the current articles mainly focused on strategies at the beginning and there are limited evidence on the effectiveness and safety of medication for COVID-19 (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020). Secondly, there are limited, including original, research of pharmacy interventions. As articles on retrospective analysis of treatment regimens increased, more original research on the effectiveness and safety of current treatments is needed, especially for off-label use, outcome evaluation, and real-world data analysis. Thirdly, many high-quality international journals may take longer to publish manuscripts on COVID-19, and thus it is likely to miss out some relevant articles.

Comparing with another scoping review on epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, prevention, and control of COVID-19, which indicated 89.2% articles were published in English (Adhikari et al., 2020), pharmacy services articles were mainly published in Chinese, perhaps to facilitate domestic communications among pharmacists during the early stage of the outbreak. Thus an evidence mapping can provide information and experience for pharmacists around the world during global pandemic. A health belief model for understanding the reasons of individuals may or may not act facing a threat to personal or community health was suggested for community pharmacists (Carico et al., 2020). This evidence mapping study can provide information to design a complex intervention following the guidance produced by the Medical Research Council (2019).

Conclusions

Pharmacy services have a role in the COVID-19 pandemic control and there were many rapid changes in response to the pandemic. However, more original research, especially outcome evaluation and real-world data analysis, is needed to provide valid and reliable ways for curbing this pandemic

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.

Ethics Statement

Ethical review and approval was not required for the study on human participants in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent for participation was not required for this study in accordance with the national legislation and the institutional requirements.

Author Contributions

Z-MY conceived this review. YH and G-RW identified reports of trials and extracted data. Z-MY, YH and G-RW did all statistical analyses, checked for statistical inconsistency, and interpreted data. R-SZ contributed to data interpretation. Z-MY drafted the report and all other authors (YH, G-RW, and R-SZ) critically reviewed the article. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We feel grateful for Helen Zhang from Beijing United Family Healthcare and Si-Qian Zheng for help with editing and all the healthcare practitioners for their contributions fighting against COVID-19.

References

  1. Adhikari S. P., Meng S., Wu Y. J., Mao Y. P., Ye R. X., Wang Q. Z., et al. (2020). Epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, prevention and control of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the early outbreak period: a scoping review. Infect. Dis. Poverty 9, 29.   10.1186/s40249-020-00646-x [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. AGREE Next Steps Consortium (2017). The AGREE II Instrument [Electronic version]. Available at: http://www.agreetrust.org (Accessed 24.08.2020).
  3. Al-Quteimat O. M., Amer A. M. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: How can pharmacists help? Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.018 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Arksey H., O’Malley L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int. J. Soc. Res. Method. 8, 19–32. 10.1080/1364557032000119616 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  5. Bian Y., Wang Y. Y., Yang Y., Shu Y. Q., Xiong Y., Tong R. S., et al. (2020. a). Rational Use and Pharmaceutical Care of Two Antiviral Drugs. Herald Med. 39, 338–345. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2020.03.016 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  6. Bian Y., Yang Z. Y., Xiong Y., Tong R. S., Yan J. F., Long E. W., et al. (2020. b). Discussion on clinical pharmaceutical service model in prevention and treatment of corona virus disease 2019. Chin. J. New Drugs Clin. Rem. 39, 212–217.   10.14109/j.cnki.xyylc.2020 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  7. Cao J., Tang P. J., Zhu F. F., Zhu F., Niu G. H., Song Q., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical care of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COVID-19. J. Jiangsu U. Med. 30, 109–113. 10.13312/j.issn.1671-7783.y200080 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  8. Carico R. R., Sheppard J., Thomas C. B. (2020). Community pharmacists and communication in the time of COVID-19: Applying the health belief model. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.017 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Che K. K., Liu X. M., Hu C. H. (2020). Retrospective analysis and pharmaceutical care of anti-novel coronavirus drugs based on the latest diagnosis and treatment protocol. J. Southwest U. Natur. Sci. 42, 1–9. [Google Scholar]
  10. Chen Y. W., Tang L. Q., Zhang S. Y., Wang M., Shen A. Z. (2020). Rational Administration and Pharmaceutical Care of Interferon Alpha Nebulization Therapy in Corona Virus Disease 2019. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 632–635. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.06.07 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  11. Chen L., Liu F., Wang X. X., Chen Y. Y., Song H. Y., Xia J. S., et al. (2020. a). Medication Rules and Medication Monitoring of 875 Cases of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Treated by traditional Chinese Medicine. Chin. J. Exper. Tradit. Med. Form. 26, 35–43.   10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20201412 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  12. Chen M., Tong R. S., Bian Y., Shu Y. Q., Yang Y., Du S., et al. (2020). Evidence-based Rapid Review on Possibility of Treatment of 2019-nCoV with Subcutaneousα-interferon. Herald Med. 39, 483–488. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2020.04.0 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  13. Chen L. P., Wu Y., Jin C. T., Wu S. J. (2020). Pharmaceutical Care of Antiviral Drugs in COVID-19 Patients: Based on Diagnosis and Treatment Scheme (Trial Version 7). Chin. J. Modern App Pharm. 37, 549–554.   10.7539/j.issn.1672-2981.2020.00.000 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  14. Chen F., Qiang L., Zeng F., Wang D. Y., Han Y., Lv Y. N., et al. (2020). Analysis and recommendations of coronavirus disease 2019 related medication in Fangcang Hospital with 290 cases. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 1189–1191. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.11.03 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  15. Chen L. F., Xiao Y., Yu Y., Yang H. Y., Shen T. Y., Song J., et al. (2020). Prevention and Control Measures of the Hospital Pharmacy in Fever Clinic During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic. China Pharmaceut. 29, 18–22. 10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2020.05.004 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  16. Chen J. Z., Hu M. L., Luo J. W., Zhang W., Zhang D. Y. (2020). Practice of Pharmaceutical Care in Designated Hospital under the Condition of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic. Chin. Pharm. 31, 536–539. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.06 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  17. Chen L., Cheng Z. Q., Liu F., Xia Y., Chen Y. G. (2020. b). Analysis of 131 cases of COVID-19 treated by Ganlu Xiaodu Decoction. Chin. J. Chin. Mater. Med. 45, 2232–2238.   10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200322.505 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Dong S. J., Yang L., Chen C., Kong X. W., Cai Z., Du Y. W., et al. (2020). Construction of Integrated Emergency Management Model for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control in Hospital Pharmacy Department. Chin. Pharm. 31, 513–517. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  19. Du S., Liu X. X., Yang Y., Shu Y. Q., Chen M. (2020). Discussion on the application of intestinal microecological regulators in Corona Virus Disease 2019. Adverse Drug React. J. 22, 147–150.   10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-5734.2020.0006 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  20. Duan H. F., Rong C. L., Cui Y. (2020). Analysis of the Basic Entry Point and Necessity of Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Pharmacists Participating in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Rational Drug Use. Modern Tradit. Chin. Med. Mater. Med. World Sci. Tech. 3, 597–605.   10.11842/wst.20200224009 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  21. Gao Y. Y., Xu T., Jin Z. H., Wang S. M., Long G. L., Zheng M. L., et al. (2020). Practice and discussion of outpatient pharmaceutical care based on medical network model during 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 606–611. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.06.02 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  22. Gong W. J., Wu S. L., Wu T. T., Zeng F., Shi C., Han Y., et al. (2020. a). Pharmaceutical Care for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Patients in Square Cabin Hospital. Herald Med. 39, 650–653. [Google Scholar]
  23. Gong W. J., Zhou T., Xu C. F., Xu J. Q., Liu Y. H., Han Y., et al. (2020. b). The practice and discussion of online pharmaceutical service mode in square cabin hospital. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 876–879. [Google Scholar]
  24. Gu M., Hua X. L., Chen J., Zeng F., Zhou T., Zhang Y., et al. (2020). Practice of Pharmacy Administration and Pharmaceutical Care in Jianghan Module Hospital. China Pharmacist 23, 702–706. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Guo W., Jia F., Sha S., Zan Y. N., Liu S. S. (2020). Medical guidance for the treatment of stress-related disorders in patients infected with a novel coronavirus in square cabin hospital. Adverse Drug React. J. 3, 176–1793.   10.3760/cma.j.cn114015-20200222-00146 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  26. Han L. Z., Bian Y., Tong R. S., Yan J. F., Long E. W., Shu Y. Q., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical care strategy for COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disease. Cent. South Pharm. 18, 591–597. [Google Scholar]
  27. He L. L., Jin Z. H., Xu X., Gao Y. Y., Hu C. Q., Wang S. Y., et al. (2020). Practice and discussion on pharmaceutical care for the novel coronavirus epidemic in outpatient pharmacy. West China J. Pharm. Sci. 35, 225–227. [Google Scholar]
  28. He S. Z., Li Z. S., Chen L., Wang Z. P., Mo M. C., Xia X. H., et al. (2020). Exploring the management model of donated drugs during the period of COVID-19. Pharm. Today. 335, 313–315. [Google Scholar]
  29. Hu Z. Q., Ma X., Qi T. T., Jiang G., Xiao H. T., Jiang Q., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical Care for Cancer Patients Receiving Antitumor Treatment during the Outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019. J. Cancer Cont. Treat 33, 100–105. [Google Scholar]
  30. Hu C. J., Zheng M. L., He L. L., Zhu W. W., Guo Y., Wang M., et al. (2020). Exploring the Management Model of Donated Drugs by the Department of Pharmacy during COVID-19. West Chin. J. Pharm. Sci. 33, 100–105. 10.3969/j.issn.1674-0904.2020.02.004 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  31. Huang L. F., Yang J. F., Gao P., Wang H. J., Zhu Z. Y., Ni Y., et al. (2020). Facing the COVID-19 Outbreak: Pharmaceutical Care Model for Children with Chronic Disease. Chin. J. Modern App. Pharm. 37, 555–559.   10.13748/j.cnki.issn1007-7693.2020.05.007 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  32. Huang L. J., Chen F. C., Jiang X. Q., Li Z. H., Wang W., Liu Y. W., et al. (2020. a). Clinical characteristics and therapy of novel corona virus pneumonia: 71 cases retrospective analysis. Cent. South Pharm. 18, 739–742. [Google Scholar]
  33. Huang L. J., Chen F. C., Li Z. H., Li P., Xiong L., Zhou W. B. (2020. b). Analysis on the safety of drug therapy in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Chin. Pharmacol. Bull. 36, 30–31. [Google Scholar]
  34. International Pharmaceutical Federation (2020). Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: Information and interim guidelines for pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce. Chin. Pharm. J. 55, 249–267.   10.11669/cpj.2020.04.001 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  35. Jin Y., Kun L. W., Yan D. (2020). Consensus on the safe and rational use of early intervention Chinese patent medicines in the novel corona-virus pneumonia (COVID-19) (Beijing). Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. [Google Scholar]
  36. Leading Group of the Central Committee on Response to COVID-19 (2020). Guiding opinions of the central leading group on COVID-19 to proactively and orderly promote the resumption of work while effectively preventing and controlling the outbreak. Available at: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2020-04/09/content_5500698.htm (Accessed 19.05.2020).
  37. Li G. H., Zhai Q., Huang H. B., Liu D., Wu D. Y., Jin Y., et al. (2020) Expert group of cancer branch of Chinese Pharmacological Society Professional Committee of Drug-induced Diseases. Impact and management recommendations of drug therapy for tumor patients during the epidemic of Novel coronavirus pneumonia. Adverse Drug React. J. 22, 139–141.   10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-5734.2020.0004 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  38. Li Q. C., Xie F. Q., Guo X. R., Jiang Q., Wang H. J., Liu C., et al. (2020). Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. [Google Scholar]
  39. Li H., Zheng S., Liu F., Liu W., Zhao R. (2020). Fighting against COVID-19: Innovative strategies for clinical pharmacists. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.003 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Lin Z. J., Zhang B. (2020). Strategy of pharmaceutical care services for clinical Chinese pharmacists in novel coronavirus pneumonia. Chin. J. Chin. Mater. Med. 45, 1259–1262.   10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200211.501 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Liu Q. Y., Yan S. Y. (2020). A review of researches and custodial care of chloroquine used in coronavirus infections. Adverse Drug React. J.   10.3760/cma.j.cn114015-20200224-00158 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  42. Liu X. X., Shen P. X., Du S., Yang Y., Shu Y., Bian Y., et al. (2020). Rational Use and Pharmaceutical Care of Thymosin Immunomodulators for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. Herald Med. 3, 197–200. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2020.04.006. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  43. Liu S., Luo P., Tang M., Hu Q., Joseph P. P., Sun S. S., et al. (2020. a). Providing pharmacy services during the coronavirus pandemic. Int. J. Clin. Pharm. 42, 299–304.   10.1007/s11096-020-01017-0 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Liu S., He G. F., Du J., Wang D., Shi C., Huang Q., et al. (2020. b). Pharmaceutical emergency guarantee difficulties and countermeasures for the prevention and control of out-break of Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19). Chin. J. Hos. Pharm. 40, 243–249. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.03.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  45. Liu X. L., Liu Y., Qiu L., Luo P., Jin J. J., Zheng J. L., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical administration practice during prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Chin. J. Hosp. Adm. 4, 324–327.   10.3760/cma.j.cn112225-20200302-00440 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  46. Liu Y., Qiu L., Liu X. L., Yang J. W., Zhang C. L., Wang L., et al. (2020). Practice of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmaceutical Care in the Designated Hospital of COVID-19. Herald Med. 39, 522–527. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2020.04.017 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  47. Martin P., Tamblyn R., Benedetti A., Ahmed S., Tannenbaum C. (2018). Effect of a pharmacist-led educational intervention on inappropriate medication prescriptions in older adults: The D-PRESCRIBE randomized clinical trial. JAMA 320, 1889–1898. 10.1001/jama.2018.16131 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Medical Research Council (2019). Developing and evaluating complex interventions: Following considerable development in the field since 2006, MRC and NIHR have jointly commissioned an update of this guidance to be published in 2019. Available at: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/complexinterventionsguidance (Accessed 13.04.2020).
  49. Meng L., Qiu F., Sun S. (2020). Providing pharmacy services at cabin hospitals at the coronavirus epicenter in China. Int. J. Clin. Pharm. 42, 305–308.   10.1007/s11096-020-01020-5 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Moola S., Munn Z., Tufanaru C., Aromataris E., Sears K., Sfetcu R., et al. (2020). “Chapter 7: Systematic reviews of etiology and risk,” in JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI. Eds. Aromataris E., Munn Z. Available at: https://synthesismanual.jbi.global.   10.46658/JBIMES-20-08 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  51. National Health Commission of People’s Republic of China (2020). Press conference of the joint defense and joint control mechanism of the State Council. Available at: http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/202005/e78dfc196504497586f324f0d9a5bc36.shtm (Accessed 19.05.2020).
  52. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020). COVID-19 rapid guideline: critical care in adults. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng159 (Accessed 10.05.2020). [PubMed]
  53. Omer S. B., Malani P., Del Rio C. (2020). The COVID-19 Pandemic in the US: A Clinical Update. JAMA 323, 1767–1768.   10.1001/jama.2020.5788 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Peng L. L., Liu X., Xie F., Ji B. (2020). Analysis of influencing factors of hyperglycemia in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and diabetes. Chin. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 36, 926–929. 10.13699/j.cnki.1001-6821.2020.07.055 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  55. Rao Y. F., Guo J. H., Liao J. (2020). Hospital pharmacy administration and pharmaceutical care in the prevention and control of corona virus disease-19. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 726–729. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.07.02 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  56. Shao M. M., Zhao H. M., Chen J. Y., Yu Y. X. (2020). Rational use and pharmaceutical care of lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of patients with corona virus disease 2019. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 753–756. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.07.08 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  57. Shen A. Z., Wu Y. Q., Zhang S. Y., Yan H., Lu S. S., Guo A. P., et al. (2020). Prevention and control strategy and pharmaceutical care in outpatient department for COVID-19. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 1603–1606+1683. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.15.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  58. Song Z. W., Hu Y., Zheng S. Q., Yang L., Zhao R. S. (2020). Hospital pharmacists’ pharmaceutical care for hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Recommendations and guidance from clinical experience. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.027 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Song B., Dong S. C., Wang M. (2020). Pharmaceutical care of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 in the elderly. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 748–752. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.07.07 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  60. Tan S. L., Xu P., Zhu Y. G. (2020). Protection of hospital pharmacy related personnel under the COVID-19 epidemic. Cent. South Pharm. 18, 335–336. 10.7539/j.issn.1672-2981.2020.02.038 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  61. The State Council of the People’s Republic of China (2020). Notice on the issuance of guidance for the prevention and control measures for getting back to work in different risk areas of the country. Available at: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2020-04/09/content_5500685.htm (Accessed 19.05.2020).
  62. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association. Hospital Pharmacy Branch of China Association of Chinese Medicine. Emergency Medicine Branch of Chinese Geriatrics Society. Cardiovascular Medicine Branch of Chinese Society of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology. Clinical Toxicology Professional Committee of Chinese Society of Toxicology. Drug induced Diseases Professional Committee of Chinese Pharmacological Society et al. (2020). Guidelines on drug treatment and pharmaceutical care for novel coronavirus pneumonia and common complication. Adverse Drug React. J. 3, 121–129. 10.3760/cma.j.cn114015-20200304-00211 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  63. Ung C. O. L. (2020). Community pharmacist in public health emergencies: Quick to action against the coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreak. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm. 16, 583–586.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.02.003 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Wang Y., Tian D. L., Sun Y. Y., Bai Y. L., Zhu L. Q. (2020). Pharmaceutical Care for Children in Therapy of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 593–605. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.06.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  65. Wang R. R., Xu Q., Li L., Wang X. J., Jiang S. P., Lu X. Y. (2020). Pharmacological care strategy for antivirals in patients with COVID-19 complicated by underlying disorders. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 612–616. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.06.03 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  66. Wang J. W., Guan Y., Cao S. S., Chen S. N., Zhao J. Y., Zhang W., et al. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 infection: Expert consensus on guidance and prevention and control strategies of retail drugstore work. Chin. Pharm. J. 55, 278–283. 10.11669/cpj.2020.04.003 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  67. Wang N. N., Duan X. P., Mei Z. H., Gong Z. C., Liu S. (2020). Prevention and Control Strategies of the Emergency Pharmacy in Large Third-Class A Hospitals During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic. China Pharmaceut. 29, 15–18. 10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2020.05.003 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  68. Wang X. Y. (2020). Application and pharmaceutical care of traditional Chinese medicine injections recommended by guideline in treatment of corona virus disease 2019. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 847–851. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.08.02 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  69. Wei L., Li M. M., Chen L. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 infection guideline for pharmacy construction and prevention and control strategies. Pharm. Today. [Google Scholar]
  70. World Health Organization (2020. a). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation report-120. Available at: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200519-covid-19-sitrep-120.pdf?sfvrsn=515cabfb_2 (Accessed 19.05.2020).
  71. World Health Organization (2020. b). Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19): WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen (Accessed 07.04.2020).
  72. World Health Organization (2020. c). Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19): WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen (Accessed 25.03.2020).
  73. Xie Y. L., Chang G. Z., Peng X. D., Liu Y. N., Jia S. J., Li Z. J., et al. (2020). Emergency plan of hospital pharmacy administration for prevention and control of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Central South Pharmacy; ). 18, 1–6. [Google Scholar]
  74. Xiong Y., Bian Y., Jiang M., Tong R. S., Yan J. F., Long E. M, et al. (2020. a). Pharmaceutical services for prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis associated with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 857–863. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.08.04 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  75. Xiong Y., Jiang M., Bian Y., Ling W., Tong R. S., Yan J. F., et al. (2020. b). Pharmaceutical care of corona virus disease 2019 associated circulatory system thrombus prevention and treatment. West China J. Pharm. Sci. [Google Scholar]
  76. Xu X. H., Yang L., Chen C., Zhai S. D., Zhao R. S. (2020). Management strategy on donated medicines for COVID-19 prevention and control. Chin. Pharm. J. 55, 700–703. 10.11669/cpj.2020.09.006 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  77. Xu Y. X., Shen L. H., Han W. C., Xie B. C., He R. R., Ding S. B. (2020). Pharmaceutical care of lopinavir/ritonavir in the treatment of critically coronavirus disease 2019. Chin. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 36, 922–925. 10.13699/j.cnki.1001-6821.2020.07.054 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  78. Yan Y. Y., Yi Z. M., Zhai S. D. (2012). Publication and Quality of Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analyses Conducted by Hospital Pharmacists in China. Chin. J. Evid. Based. Med. 12, 92–97. [Google Scholar]
  79. Yan J. L., Pang W. Y., Wang Q. Y., Zhao Z. G. (2020). Feasibility and Clinical Evaluation of Lopinavir /Ritonavir in the Treatment of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2. China Pharmaceut. 29, 16–20.   10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2020.06.004 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  80. Yan Y. Y., Yuan X. N., Yang Y. H., Yang L., Liu F., Zhai S. D., et al. (2020). Exposure Protection Countermeasures for Novel Coronavirus Infection in Hospital Pharmaceutical Staff. China Pharm. 31, 523–527. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.03 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  81. Yang M. Y., Gao Y. Y., Zou Y. J., Zheng Y. (2020). Pharmacological recommendations on the off-label use of Lopinavir/ritonavir for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 617–621. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.06.04 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  82. Yang Y., Zhu Y. L., Lian J. P., Liu W., Su D., Cheng Z. J., et al. (2020). Discussion on Pharmacy Management and Pharmaceutical Care Mode in Square Cabin Hospital. Herald Med. 39, 518–521. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2020.04.016 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  83. Yang C., Yuan L., Liu C. Y., Shi J. H., Wang P., Luo M. H. (2020). Rational use and pharmaceutical care of Chinese patent medicines based on diagnosis and treatment plan for Corona Virus Disease 2019. J. Jinan U. Natur. Sci. Med. 41, 137–143. 10.11778/j.jdxb.2020.02.007 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  84. Yang L., Chen Y., Huang J. L., Zhang Y., Li X. X., Sun X. P., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical Care of Elderly Patients with the Coronavirus Disease 2019. China Pharmaceut. 29, 46–49.   10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2020.05.010 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  85. Yang C. X., Li S. J., Shi S. J., Liu Y. N., Zhou J. L., Zhang Y., et al. (2020. a). Rational drug use and pharmaceutical care strategies under COVID-19 epidemic. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 1071–1076. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.10.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  86. Yang C. X., Li S. J., Diao C. D., Zhou J. L., Shi S. J., Liu Y. N., et al. (2020. b). Severe and Critical Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: Standardized Nutrition Therapy and Pharmaceutical Care. Herald Med. [Google Scholar]
  87. Yang Y. Y., Chen S. B., Lu X. Y. (2020). Study on the strategy and application of anticoagulant pharmaceutical care during Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19). Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 864–868. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.08.05 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  88. Yang Y. H., Yan Y. Y., Zhai S. D. (2020). Recommendations on the work of the pharmaceutical department of medical institutions in response to COVID-19(second edition) Clin. Med. J. 18, 1–3. 10.3969/j.issn.1672-3384.2020.02.001 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  89. Yang L., Xu X. H., Chen C., Yang G., Chen L. H. (2020). Novel Coronavirus Infection Response: Prevention and Control Strategies Based on Drug, Material Supply and Emergency Management. Chin. Pharm. 31, 517–522. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.02 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  90. Yi Z. M., Guo H., Qi S. B., Zhou T. T., Zhao R. S. (2020). Evidence-based Pharmaceutical Practice Responding for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic. Chin. Pharm. 31, 527–531.   10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.04 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  91. Yin Y. Q., Ren Z. Y., Shi W. L., Zhao Y., Yang L., Zhao R. S., et al. (2020). Establishment of Hospital Pharmacy Prevention and Control Strategies for Novel Coronavirus Infection Based on 5M1E Analysis Method. Chin. Pharm. 31, 532–535. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.05.05 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  92. Ying W., Qian Y., Kun Z. (2020). Drugs supply and pharmaceutical care management practices at a designated hospital during the COVID-19 epidemic. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.001 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  93. Yuan D. D., Chen Y. Y., Wang B. J., Ma Q., Yang J. F., Lou H. K., et al. (2020). The pharmaceutical practice for the prevention and control of Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)in the fever pharmacy. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 869–872. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.08.06 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  94. Zeng D. Y., Huang P. F., Ke M., Lin C. H., Lin R. F. (2020). Practice and thinking of developing pharmaceutical care with the help of Internet hospital under the outbreak of COVID-19. Adverse Drug React. J.   10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-5734.2020.0010 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  95. Zhang Z. H., Wang Q. Y., Zhao Z. G. (2020). Application, evaluation and pharmaceutical care of ribavirin in the treatment of viral diseases. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. [Google Scholar]
  96. Zhang J. H., Zhu L. Q., Liu Z. Y., Liu Y. Y. (2020). Pharmacological recommendations on tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID-19. Chin. J. Hosp. Pharm. 40, 721–725. 10.13286/j.1001-5213.2020.07.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  97. Zhang Y. L., Zhao W., Jin M. Y., Gui Y., Zhang Q., Gong C. L., et al. (2020). Pharmaceutical Care of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Preventing and Treating the Coronavirus Disease 2019. China Pharmaceut. 29, 27–34.   10.3969/j.issn.1006-4931.2020.05.006 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  98. Zhang D., Lv J. T., Zhang B., Zhang X. M., Lin Z. J. (2020). Pharmacovigilance study on drug-induced cardiac injury during treatment of COVID-19. Chin. J. Chin. Mater. Med. 45, 2275–2286.   10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200322.503 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  99. Zhang L., Zhang K., Chu Y. Q. (2020). Expert Consensus on Accelerating the Development of Intelligent Pharmaceutical Care during the Epidemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (1st edition) Clin. Med. J. 18, 4–9 10.3969/j.issn.1672-3384.2020.02.002 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  100. Zhang X. Q., Shen T. Y., Sun J., Lu X. Y., Huang M. Z., Zheng D. S., et al. (2020). Practice and Thinking of Hospital Pharmacy Administration Measures During COVID-19 Epidemic. Chin. J. Modern Appl. Pharm. 37, 536–541. 10.13748/j.cnki.issn1007-7693.2020.05.004 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  101. Zhao R. S., Yang Y. Y., Yang L., Li Z. J., Liu F., Ren Z. Y., et al. (2020. a). Novel Coronavirus Infection: Expert Consensus on Guidance and Prevention Strategies for Hospital Pharmacists and the Pharmacy Workforce. Chin. Pharm. J. 55, 268–277. 10.11669/cpj.2020.04.002 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  102. Zhao R. S., Yang Y. H., Yang L., Li Z. J., Liu F., Ren Z. Y., et al. (2020. b). Guidance and management strategy of pharmaceutical work for prevention and control of COVID-19. Chin. Pharm. J. [Google Scholar]
  103. Zhao R. S., Yang Y. H., Yang L., Li Z. J., Liu F., Ren Z. Y., et al. (2020. c). Interpretation of Novel Coronavirus Infection: Expert Consensus on Guidance and Prevention Strategies for Hospital Pharmacists and the Pharmcy Workforce. Chin. Pharm. 31, 385–389. 10.6039/j.issn.1001-0408.2020.04.01 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  104. Zheng S. Q., Yang L., Zhou P. X., Li H. B., Liu F., Zhao R. S. (2020). Recommendations and guidance for providing pharmaceutical care services during COVID-19 pandemic: A China perspective. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.   10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.012 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  105. Zhou W., Liu Y. S., Tian D. D., Wang C., Wang S., Cheng S., et al. (2020). Potential benefits of precise corticosteroids therapy for severe 2019-nCoV pneumonia. Signal Transd. Target. Ther. 5, 18.   10.1038/s41392-020-0127-9 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  106. Zhou H., Hu X. H., Huang X., Cheng F., Cao F., Han Y., et al. (2020). Prevention and Control Strategy of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Laboratory During the COVID-19 Epidemic. Herald Med. 39, 330–333. 10.3870/j.issn.1004-0781.2019.03.014 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  107. Zhou P. X., Yang L., Zhao R. S. (2020). A review on the pharmaceutical management, prevention, control and pharmacotherapy for corona virus disease 2019 in China. Clin. Med. J. 18, 34–39. 10.3969/j.issn.1672-3384.2020.02.007 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  108. Zhu S. Y., Liu Y., Chen C. Y., Ding X. F., Xu P. (2020). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Drugs Induced QT Interval Prolongation: A Literature Review and Pharmaceutical Care. Chin. J. Modern App Pharm. 37, 560–563.   10.13748/j.cnki.issn1007-7693.2020.05.008 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  109. Zhu Y. G., Deng Z. W., Liu L. H., Liu X. H., Li X. Z., Chen W. H., et al. (2020) Drug information compilation of diagnosis and treatment program of COVID-19. 1st ed. Central South Pharmacy; Available at: http://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/43.1408.R.20200221.0859.002.html. [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.

Articles from Frontiers in Pharmacology are provided here courtesy of Frontiers Media SA

RESOURCES