Pharmacists’ Engagement With Pharmaceutical Care in Pakistan: Insights From a Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers
Author(s)
MUHAMMAD AMIR HAMZA, MPhil.
DEPARTEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
DEPARTEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
OBJECTIVES: Pharmaceutical care (PC) enhances medication safety, optimizes resource utilization, and improves health outcomes; however, its implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Pakistan, remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to examine pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers regarding PC in hospital and community pharmacies.
METHODS: An observational paper-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 among pharmacists working in hospitals and community pharmacies of twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) in Pakistan. A pretested and validated questionnaire was used, employing a convenience sampling technique to collect data from 439 participants. Data analysis, performed with SPSS version 23.0, included Spearman correlation to assess variable relationships and logistic regression (p < 0.05, 95% CI) to identify factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers.
RESULTS: The study achieved a 91.3% response rate, with 55.8% (245) of the 439 participants being male and 53.8% (236) aged 22-30. Most pharmacists (77.0%, 338) held PharmD qualifications, 66.1% (290) worked in hospitals, and 62.6% (275) had 1-5 years of professional experience. A majority demonstrated adequate knowledge (65.4%), positive attitudes (56.0%), and good practices (54.0%) toward PC. High-frequency barriers were reported by 52.2% (229), including poor coordination among health professionals, lack of patient demand and acceptance, and limited access to medical records. A statistically significant positive correlation coefficient (p < 0.01) was found between pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers.
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that most pharmacists possessed adequate knowledge of PC, with half exhibiting positive attitudes and practices. However, barriers persist. Strengthening regulations, enhancing education, improving access to medical records, and fostering collaboration can address these challenges and enhance the implementation of PC.
METHODS: An observational paper-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 among pharmacists working in hospitals and community pharmacies of twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) in Pakistan. A pretested and validated questionnaire was used, employing a convenience sampling technique to collect data from 439 participants. Data analysis, performed with SPSS version 23.0, included Spearman correlation to assess variable relationships and logistic regression (p < 0.05, 95% CI) to identify factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers.
RESULTS: The study achieved a 91.3% response rate, with 55.8% (245) of the 439 participants being male and 53.8% (236) aged 22-30. Most pharmacists (77.0%, 338) held PharmD qualifications, 66.1% (290) worked in hospitals, and 62.6% (275) had 1-5 years of professional experience. A majority demonstrated adequate knowledge (65.4%), positive attitudes (56.0%), and good practices (54.0%) toward PC. High-frequency barriers were reported by 52.2% (229), including poor coordination among health professionals, lack of patient demand and acceptance, and limited access to medical records. A statistically significant positive correlation coefficient (p < 0.01) was found between pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers.
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that most pharmacists possessed adequate knowledge of PC, with half exhibiting positive attitudes and practices. However, barriers persist. Strengthening regulations, enhancing education, improving access to medical records, and fostering collaboration can address these challenges and enhance the implementation of PC.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HSD87
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas