The Managerial Role of Pharmacist at Community Pharmacy Setting in Saudi Arabia

Mohamed N Al-Arifi

doi:10.4236/pp.2013.41009

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia community pharmacies by law, be owned and managed by pharmacists. Although these two functions seemed to be the same but in reality, they are not. Some studies showed that in community pharmacy managerial functions account for more than 50% of total routine and critical activity for all managerial position surveyed while other study showed that only 13.6% of the pharmacist’s time spent in administrative activities. This article addressed the role of the pharmacist as manager and the way in which he/she manages the pharmacy to ensure optimum productivity. The main part of this review discussed the managerial role of pharmacist in management of human resources, financial resources, marketing, inventory, information resources and space management of the pharmacy. Additionally, the management process, professional skills of managers, development of managerial skills, problems in management process and their resolution were also discussed. In addition to management functions which also include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling processes. The author concluded that the skills of pharmacy managers may vary because of the lack of formalized management training programs. To bridges a gap in management education, interested pharmacists should be encouraged to shift their career goals from professional to pharmacy administration. In addition, expansion of curricula in pharmacy management to include management training of highest possible caliber in managerial skills is highly demanded. Formalized management training programs for those involved in community pharmacy practice are also warranted.

Highlights

IntroductionPharmacy manager can be defined as a pharmacist who is responsible to the owner (proprietor) for all aspects of business including employing and termination of the staff, entire business administration and financial and performance planning [1]
Some studies showed that in community pharmacy managerial functions account for more than 50% of total routine and critical activity for all managerial position surveyed while other study showed that only 13.6% of the pharmacist’s time spent in administrative activities
Formalized management training programs for those involved in community pharmacy practice are warranted

Summary

Introduction

Pharmacy manager can be defined as a pharmacist who is responsible to the owner (proprietor) for all aspects of business including employing and termination of the staff, entire business administration and financial and performance planning [1]. He is responsible to maintain and enforce policies and procedures to comply with standard of pharmacy practice as stated within current community pharmacy legislations [2]. In Saudi Arabia community pharmacies by law, be owned and managed by pharmacists [3,4]. Management involves accepting responsibilities for achieving the pharmacies’ goals through planning, organizing, leading and coordinating and controlling the human, physical, and financial, marketing as well as information resources [6,7] every pharmacy needs a manager; some small pharmacies are self-managed by their owners

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Discussion

Conclusion