The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the community pharmacy
practice in Palestine from a clinical and legal aspects. The study was conducted on a
random sample of community pharmacies and carried out by pharmacy students of An-
Najah University using a 15-item questionnaire. The working hours of community
pharmacies is approximately 9 hours daily and the average working people in the
pharmacy is 2.8. The average customer turnover is approximately 25.8. Medical
representatives and manufacturer brochures are the primary source of drug information
for 90% community pharmacists. Over the counter sale of many prescription
medications is unregulated. Substitution of prescribed medications is common in 25%
of community pharmacies. No official record of prescription is available. The Ministry
of health, the Palestinian Pharmaceutical Association and the college of pharmacy at
An-Najah University ought to take measures to improve the pharmacy practice and to
provide continuing educational opportunities for community pharmacist in Palestine.