Pharmacists in global primary healthcare systems: A comprehensive model for community health empowerment
1 Kaybat Pharmacy and Stores, Benin, Nigeria.
2 Roche Products Limited, Lagos Nigeria.
3 Independent Researcher, Chicago, IL, USA.
Review Article
International Journal of Frontiers in Medicine and Surgery Research, 2024, 06(02), 019–028.
Article DOI: 10.53294/ijfmsr.2024.6.2.0044
Publication history:
Received on 24 August 2024; revised on 02 October 2024; accepted on 04 October 2024
Abstract:
Pharmacists play an increasingly important role in global primary healthcare systems, evolving from traditional dispensers to active participants in patient-centered care. This paper advocates for the stronger integration of pharmacists into healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes, medication adherence, and overall healthcare delivery. Through a comprehensive review, we examine the evolving role of pharmacists, the key challenges to their full integration, and the substantial opportunities they present, particularly in managing chronic diseases, providing preventative care, and enhancing patient education. We propose a model for empowering pharmacists to contribute more effectively to community health, especially in underserved areas. The paper also highlights the potential global impact of pharmacists in reducing healthcare costs, improving disease management, and promoting public health initiatives. Lastly, recommendations for future policy reforms, education enhancements, and research directions are offered to support the continued expansion of pharmacists' roles in primary healthcare systems worldwide.
Keywords:
Pharmacists; Primary healthcare; Medication adherence; Chronic disease management; Preventative care; Healthcare integration
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0