The role of community pharmacists in public health and public health related problems which they encounter

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study was conducted in order to identify the role of community pharmacists in public health and the public health related problems which are encountered. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 87 community pharmacists answered a questionnaire form about sociodemographic characteristics, public health counseling roles and barriers. The data was summarized as mean ± standard deviation and percentage. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical data. Results: 93.1% of the community pharmacists considered that they had an active role in the protection of public health, while the percentage of those who thought they were able to realized it was 78.2%. Limited authority (63.2%), insufficient time and workload (52.6%) were the leading causes of ineffectivity of the pharmacists in public health. The causes that prevented receiving consultancy services were shame (64.4%), the education level of the client (51.7%) and gender difference between the pharmacist and client (48.3%). The pharmacists thought that their professional reputation should be improved in order to improve their consulting role (35%). Conclusion: Although there are many occupational problems of pharmacists in Turkey, pharmacists voluntarily provide a consultacy service about many subjects for the protection of public health. Legal arrangements are needed to make pharmacies public health counseling centers.