• Anmar Al-Taie, Zekiye K Yilmaz, Hasan Dahman, and Turay Yardimci.
• Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey.
• Curr Med Res Opin. 2022 Dec 1; 38 (12): 220922172209-2217.

ObjectiveTo assess the knowledge level and awareness of Alzheimer's disease, including knowledge about the disease, pharmacotherapy, provision of patient education and associated factors among community pharmacists across Turkey and Northern Cyprus.MethodsThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among community pharmacists working in Turkey (Group A) and Northern Cyprus (Group B). Disease and pharmacotherapy knowledge of AD were assessed using AD Knowledge Scale (ADKS), and drug treatment (KADT) scale, respectively.ResultsBoth groups reported a moderate level of knowledge of AD, especially medically-oriented domains, with no significant difference regarding the mean ADKS domains (18.8 ± 2.8 vs. 18.9 ± 3.4; p = .98). Nevertheless, participants from both groups reported a good level of KADT knowledge about AD treatment (p = .03). Group A reported a statistically significant higher level of knowledge about drug interactions compared with Group B (54.6% vs. 45.8%; p = .01), and knowledge about proper information (79.6% vs. 31.8%; p = .02). There was a statistically significant KADT difference correlated with gender, those having a Master degree, more than 5 years of work experience, and those taking AD training courses.ConclusionThere is still a lack of knowledge regarding AD reported by moderate ADKS score, especially in medically-oriented domains, which creates a barrier to early provision of care and preventing AD, noted with no difference among community pharmacists across Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

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