Pharmacy Technician Workload and Human Resources Requirements at MOH Primary Health Care Center Over Nine years Mass Gathering Hajj (2006-2014) in Al-Medina Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To explore the pharmacy technician workload analysis and workforce requirements at Ministry of Health Primary care center during mass gathering Hajj nine years (2006-2014) in Al-Medina Region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of nine years (2006-2014) of primary care center pharmacies workload during mass gathering Hajj period. The duration of workload collection was 15-30 days. The pharmacy technician prepares medications and provides pharmaceutical for dispensing through the pharmacist to all patients either Pilgrim or not Pilgrim at Al-Medina region. The workforce requirements calculated based on MOH workforce standards per primary care centers (PCC), the workload drives as central pharmacy services, patient specific pharmacy activities, and general administration specific pharmacy activities. Results: The total number of Pilgrims (1,952,817-3,161,573) with average (2,445,208) and with an average of (210,765.91) pilgrim visited each primary care center. The mean number of primary care center prescription per day (710.58) contained (2,131.74) medications. The grand average number of pharmacy technician based on MOH standards for PCC was (13.33 FTE) while the mean number pharmacy technician needed based on workload was (591.99 FTE) for all PCC. Conclusion: The pharmacy technician workload analysis showed the massive demand of pharmacy technician during mass gathering Hajj period in Al-Medina Region. Targeting to change the MOH standards of primary care center pharmacy workforces during mass gathering Hajj time is necessary for Al-Madina region in Saudi Arabia. Keyword: Pharmacy technician, Workload, Workforces, Primary care center, Mass Gathering, Hajj, Al-Medina, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia