Role Of Pharmacist Research Articles

Pharmacists' role in combating medical misinformation

AbstractMedical misinformation can pose serious threats to public health. This commentary explores the pharmacist's unique role in addressing and mitigating the impact of medical misinformation. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to engage with other healthcare providers, patients, and communities to dispel myths, provide accurate information, and promote evidence‐based healthcare decision‐making. This commentary showcases examples of the multifaceted roles of pharmacists in combating medical misinformation. It explores various strategies and interventions that can be used by pharmacists, including patient education, effective communication, information dissemination, and community engagement. Pharmacists' interventions are often at the intersection of medication management and health information needs, making them integral in ensuring patients and providers make informed healthcare choices. Moreover, this commentary highlights the impact pharmacists can have as advocates for scientific rigor and evidence‐based practices within healthcare systems to educate against medical misinformation and discusses the need for continued education, training, and support for pharmacists to excel in their roles as healthcare educators and medication experts. Pharmacists have a role in countering medical misinformation when serving patients by providing information that empowers a more informed society.

A collaborative pharmacist-led intervention to prevent hospital readmissions among elderly patients discharged from the emergency department: a retrospective cohort study

Unplanned hospital readmission is a safety and quality healthcare measure, conferring significant costs to the healthcare system. Elderly individuals, particularly, are at high risk of readmissions, often due to issues related to medication management. Pharmacists play a pivotal role in addressing medication-related concerns, which can potentially reduce readmissions. This retrospective single-centre cohort study, conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 in an emergency department, aimed to determine if integrating emergency medicine pharmacists into Emergency Department care models reduces unplanned hospital readmissions within 28 days and to identify the interventions they employ. The inclusion criteria included patients aged ≥ 65, taking ≥ 3 medications, and presenting with falls, cognition changes, or reduced mobility and were planned for discharge to home from the emergency department. Collaborating with the Emergency Department Aged Care Service Emergency Team, a pharmacist provided comprehensive medication management consultations, discharge liaison services, and other pharmacy related interventions to eligible participants whenever the pharmacist was available. Patients who met the eligibility criteria but did not receive pharmacist interventions due to the pharmacist's unavailability served as the control group. This method was chosen to ensure that the control group consisted of comparable patients who only differed in terms of receiving the pharmacist intervention. The study included 210 participants, with 120 receiving pharmacist interventions and 90 acting as controls. The results revealed a significant reduction in unplanned hospital readmissions among participants who received pharmacist interventions (10.0%, n = 12) compared to controls (22.2%, n = 20), with a notable difference of 12.2% (95% confidence interval 2.4–23.4%, p = 0.01). A total of 107 interventions were documented, emphasising medication selection recommendations (28.0%) and identification of adverse drug reactions/drug-drug interactions (21.5%) as primary areas of focus. These findings suggest that integrating skilled pharmacists into Emergency Department Aged Care Service Emergency Team (ASET) lowered the rate of unplanned hospital readmission within 28 days resulting in improved hospital performance metric outcomes. This highlights the potential role of pharmacists in addressing medication-related issues and enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare delivery, particularly for elderly patients transitioning from the ED to home care settings.

Leadership Competencies of Pharmacists in the Manufacturing Sector of the Pharmaceutical Industry

Pharmacists are the main professionals in the pharmaceutical industry as they take responsibility for the medicines that are produced and managed within the industry. Manufacturing pharmaceutical companies (MPCs) make use of the skills of pharmacists for technical functions as most countries require the presence of pharmacists for regulatory compliance purposes. The roles that pharmacists can play in a manufacturing pharmaceutical company extend beyond the technical levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the leadership competencies of pharmacists in the manufacturing sector of the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa. A Leadership Competency Self-assessment Tool (LCSAT) with five (5) domains was used to determine the competencies relating to the functions of a pharmacist in a manufacturing pharmaceutical company. The domains included professionalism, pharmacy and healthcare environment, leadership, business skills, communication and relationships. The Leadership Competency Self-assessment Tool was administered to pharmacists who are members of a professional association for pharmacists who work in the pharmaceutical industry of South Africa. The association had 567 members who received the online questionnaire over two cycles. Responses were received from 84 pharmacists (15%) with only 62 (10.9%) responses that were complete and therefore formed the sample for the study. The pharmacists rated themselves as highly competent in the domain of pharmacy and healthcare environment (77,76%) and the lowest in the domain for business skills (64,83%). The role of pharmacists in a manufacturing pharmaceutical company is diverse and should not be limited to the technical functions, for the benefit of their patients. Pharmacists should be responsible for roles beyond the operational aspects of the companies in the pharmaceutical industry. They should be actively involved in roles such as promoting the pharmaceuticals their companies produce and strategic functions. To succeed, pharmacists must develop business competencies that will enable them to have business confidence and facilitate visibility while, engaging more corporate roles to boost revenue for their companies. Many pharmacists hold technical positions that see them overseeing manufacturing functions and responsible for manufacturing tasks. Effective communication and business skills to enable them to thrive in roles of strategic leadership are essential. A diversity of competencies for the pharmaceutical industry will increase the value of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry.

Effects of Valproic Acid Supply Shortage on Pharmacy Operations in a Region of Japan.

Introduction Valproic Acid (VPA) is an essential drug in epilepsy treatment, yet it has faced supply instability in Japan. The extent of the VPA shortage and the associated increase in pharmacists' workload and collaboration with healthcare organizations remains unclear. This study investigates the potential effects of these disruptions on the roles of pharmacists. Methods A questionnaire was administered to pharmacies in Hachioji City, Japan. The survey addressed inventory management, patient complaints, and the potential effects on pharmacy operations during VPA supply instability. A chi-squared test of independence was conducted to compare the most unstable VPA supply period with the current supply situation. Supply stability according to pharmacy characteristics such as the number of prescriptions received per day and primary patient age group was also evaluated. Results Of the 42 pharmacies surveyed, 76.2% reported changes in prescription processing due to VPA supply issues. The main challenges were increased workload in inventory management and patient concerns regarding medication availability and quality. Pharmacies primarily serving clinical prescriptions and pediatric patients were the most affected by the supply instability. Discussion This study highlighted the potential effects of VPA supply instability on pharmacy operations. Pharmacists are expected to provide continuous treatment to patients through effective counseling and medication guidance to alleviate anxiety and concerns related to supply shortages.

Actual Access and Usage of Antipyretic Analgesics before and after COVID-19 Vaccination: Pharmacist's Roles in Promoting Proper Use of Medicines during the Infodemic

An overwhelming surge of information regarding preparedness for postvaccination side effects had caused widespread confusion approximately since April 2021, when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination had started for the general population in Japan. Notably, this resulted in a remarkably increased shortage of OTC acetaminophen formulations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the actual responses of the public in such an environment, how individuals acquired and understood information related to the management of postvaccination side effects, and how they obtained and used antipyretic analgesics before and after COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a web-based survey in January 2022, targeting 400 individuals aged ≥20 years, who had received two COVID-19 vaccine doses, and excluded qualified professionals such as physicians and pharmacists. The results revealed that 67% of the respondents had obtained antipyretic analgesics in anticipation of adverse effects after vaccination, whereas 38% had taken these medicines before and/or after the second vaccination. Possible misappropriation of medicines from others, preventive administration, and lack of dosage and administration confirmation are the problems identified in medication acquisition and usage. Additionally, avoidance of antipyretic analgesics based on information without scientific evidence was observed. This study revealed no small amount of inappropriate use of medicines in situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where there is an "infodemic" of mixed-quality information. Pharmacists, as experts in medication, should play a crucial role in promoting appropriate medication usage by consistently staying updated with the latest scientific evidence and proactively supporting OTC drug selection and counseling medication.

Evidence‐based prescribing in general practice: the practice‐based pharmacist's role

Pharmacists are increasingly working in UK general practices, presenting an opportunity for practice teams to benefit from their additional professional skills and comprehensive knowledge of medicines. This article examines how pharmacists are helping to reduce inappropriate and inequitable prescribing in general practice and suggests ways in which their contribution can be optimised.

Bibliometric Analysis of Community Nursing Trends on the Role of Nurses in Community Health Improvement

This study employs bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer to map the landscape of health promotion research from 2004 to 2014. By analyzing research publications in this field, we identify thematic clusters, research trends, and emerging opportunities for future investigations. Our analysis reveals several thematic clusters central to health promotion, including health education, empowerment, community engagement, and the role of healthcare professionals. A temporal analysis of the research trends indicates a shift in focus from basic educational and community engagement strategies to more specialized areas, with a notable increase in research on mental health towards the end of the period studied. The examination of less illuminated areas within the network visualization highlights underexplored topics such as the roles of community pharmacists and integrative reviews, suggesting them as potential rich fields for future research. The study underscores the evolution of health promotion over the decade and points to new directions for comprehensive health strategies, aiming to bridge research gaps and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Adolescent Perspectives on the Pharmacy-Based T-EVER (Teen E-Cigarette and Vaping Educational Resource) and Its Potential Impact on Youth Vaping.

While public health efforts have made tobacco smoking near obsolete among adolescents, vaping products are quickly taking their place. With the negative health consequences looming ahead of young vapers, there is a desperate need to curb youth vaping. Adolescents want to be actively engaged in their health which creates space to educate on vaping in this population segment. From January to May 2023, 35 adolescents aged 11-18 participated in interviews to assess the investigator-developed Teen E-cigarette and Vaping Educational Resource (T-EVER). All the interviews were recorded and transcribed for independent analysis by two study team members. The participants liked the T-EVER, indicating they were engaged in the content. However, some participants wanted more information. The participants wanted health professionals to educate them on vaping but were worried about the potential barriers facing the implementation in community pharmacy settings. Adolescents want to learn about vaping, but there are limited opportunities to do so. The T-EVER is designed to educate youth about vaping. This tool was well received and has the potential to be used by pharmacists as a vaping prevention and cessation intervention. More research is required to discern the true scope of the pharmacist's role in using an educational tool to address adolescent vaping.

Considering the Possible Role of Pharmacists According to the Presence or Absence of Lifestyle-Related Diseases at the Time of Coronary CT Examination and Trends of Medication Use for These Diseases by Medical Doctors.

Because patients often already have coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of a coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA) examination, we examined the medications prescribed by medical doctors for lifestyle-related diseases and investigated what possible role pharmacists can play in prescribing. Patients (n = 1357) who underwent CCTA examination were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of lifestyle-related diseases [hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia (DL) and diabetes mellitus (DM)], and the relationship between the presence or absence of CAD was examined. The rate of CAD was significantly higher in patients with HTN, DL or DM than in patients without these diseases. The blood pressure in the HTN group was 140 ± 20/79 ± 13 mmHg, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol value in the DL group was 119 ± 35 mg/dL, and the hemoglobin A1c value in the DM group was 7.0 ± 1.1%, all of which were poorly controlled. Anti-hypertensive drugs were used at low rates in the HTN group, statins were used in 47% and ezetimibe was used in 4% of the DL group, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors were used in 41% of the DM group. Since the rate of CAD (+) was high and control of the three major lifestyle-related diseases was poor, pharmacists should advise medical doctors to use combinations of drugs.

Effect of pharmacist care on clinical outcomes and therapy optimization in perioperative settings: A systematic review.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Integration of pharmacists into the perioperative practice has the potential to improve patients' clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to systematically investigate the evidence on the roles of pharmacists in perioperative settings and the effects of pharmacist interventions on clinical outcomes and therapy optimization. A protocol-led (CRD42023460812) systematic review was conducted using search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Google Scholar databases. Studies that investigated the roles and impact of pharmacist-led interventions in the perioperative settings on clinical outcomes were included. Data were extracted and quality assessed independently by two reviewers using the DEPICT-2 (Descriptive Elements of Pharmacist Intervention Characterization Tool) and the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT), respectively. Studies were grouped according to the clinical area into 5 sections: (1) pain control and opioid consumption; (2) venous thromboembolism (VTE); (3) surgery-related gastrointestinal complications; (4) postoperative medication management; and (5) total parenteral nutritional. Nineteen studies involving a total of 7,168 patients were included; most studies were conducted in gastrointestinal (n = 7) and orthopedics (n = 6) surgical units. Most included studies (n = 14) employed a multicomponent intervention including pharmaceutical care, education, guideline development, drug information services, and recommendations formulation. The processes of developing the implemented interventions and their structures were seldom reported. Positive impacts of pharmacist intervention on clinical outcomes included significant improvement in pain control and reductions in the incidence of VTE, surgery-related stress ulcer, nausea, and vomiting. There is inconsistency in the findings related to medication management (ie, achieving desired therapeutic ranges) and management of chronic conditions (hypertension and type 2 diabetes). Whilst there is some evidence of positive impacts of pharmacist intervention on clinical outcomes and optimizing drug therapy, this evidence is generally of low quality and insufficient volume. While this review suggests that pharmacists have essential roles in improving the care of patients undergoing surgery, more research with rigorous designs is required.

Implementing community-based medication reconciliation programs in the USA: Enhancing continuity of care and reducing errors

This concept paper proposes the implementation of community-based medication reconciliation programs in the USA to improve continuity of care and reduce medication errors. By engaging patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers in medication reconciliation processes, this paper aims to promote medication safety and enhance healthcare coordination within the community. Community-based medication reconciliation programs are critical for improving healthcare outcomes in the United States by enhancing continuity of care and reducing medication errors. This concept paper explores the implementation of such programs, focusing on their benefits, challenges, and strategies for successful execution. The paper emphasizes the importance of medication reconciliation in preventing adverse drug events and improving patient safety. It reviews existing literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject and identifies gaps in current community-based medication reconciliation programs. Key components of successful implementation are highlighted, including stakeholder engagement, technological support, and patient education. The paper also discusses the role of healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients in ensuring the effectiveness of these programs. Overall, this concept paper provides valuable insights into the design and implementation of community-based medication reconciliation programs in the USA. By implementing these programs, healthcare organizations can significantly enhance continuity of care, improve patient safety, and reduce medication errors. Keywords: Medication, Community, Care, Patients, Safety, Error, USA.

Exploring Pharmacist Roles in Telepharmacy for Chronic Disease Management in New York State: A Qualitative Inquiry into Improving Implementation, Patient Communication, and Healthcare Technology Support.

Background This qualitative study aimed to collect information regarding pharmacists' roles in telepharmacy and chronic disease management (CDM).The literature review was conducted on historical overview, CDM overview, social determinants of health (SDOH), disparities, hospital readmissions, adverse drug events, best practices, and global implications of telepharmacy. Materials and methods Eleven licensed pharmacists from New York working in retail or hospital settings were interviewed using 16 questions. The interview covered topics such as CDM, hospital readmissions, adverse drug events, best practices, SDOH, and health disparities. The recordings of these interviews were transcribed and coded for each open-ended question, resulting in 136 different codes. Results According to the comprehensive review of interview transcripts, there is still an urgent need for communication between healthcare providers and patients, pharmacist training for telepharmacy services and SDOH, and healthcare technology support. CDM can be advanced by pharmacists by understanding patient barriers, SDOHs, health disparities, and pill burdens, as well as incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Pharmacists must facilitate open communication, overcome technological barriers, seek support from stakeholders for telepharmacy training, and integrate new mobile applications to improve telepharmacy implementation and operations for providing interventions. Conclusion The research provides insights into the comprehensive impact of telepharmacy on healthcare delivery and its potential to transform CDM. With the expansion of telepharmacy, individuals living with chronic diseases can experience improved medication adherence and overallhealth outcomes.

Clinician attitudes toward referring patients to pharmacists for tobacco cessation services

BackgroundThe role of pharmacists in tobacco cessation has grown substantially in recent years, now including the ability to prescribe medications in many states. Although pharmacists can fill a gap in care by helping patients quit, other clinicians’ perceptions regarding referring patients to pharmacists for these services have not been described. ObjectiveTo characterize clinicians’ current referral patterns to pharmacists for tobacco cessation services, intention to refer in the future, and perceived barriers to and facilitators of referrals. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered within a network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which provides care to underserved patients. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), the survey assessed (a) clinicians’ sociodemographics, (b) interactions with pharmacists and referral practices, and (c) perceived barriers to and facilitators of patient referrals to network pharmacists for cessation assistance. ResultsOf 51 respondents (80% response), one third (n = 17) reported referring one or more patients to a FQHC network pharmacist in the past for help with quitting tobacco. Most (84%) reported willingness to refer patients to pharmacists in the future, and 100% of the 17 clinicians who had previously referred patients strongly agreed that they would refer again in the future. For 8 of 12 CFIR measures (67%), significant differences were observed between clinicians who had previously referred patients to pharmacists and clinicians who had not. ConclusionNonpharmacist clinicians in an FQHC expressed positive views toward a pharmacist-led tobacco cessation service, and prior experience with referrals was consistent with strong intentions for future referrals. Future studies should explore concerns regarding impact on workflow to identify and implement strategies for streamlining referrals for cessation services.

The community pharmacist as a link to psychosocial care services: Findings and lessons from a collaborative project

The role of pharmacists is increasingly expanding to encompass holistic patient-oriented services, including prevention, health advice, and counseling. Despite this, the pharmacist's role in public psychosocial wellbeing remains understudied. Project #CAVAsa, a collaboration between Flemish Pharmacists' Network and Centers for General Wellbeing (CAW), aimed to strengthen the pharmacist's role in psychosocial care. Through training and supportive materials, pharmacists were equipped to detect, inform, and refer patients to appropriate psychosocial services. Between 2021 and 2024, 387 pharmacies participated, registering 415 patient contacts about psychosocial wellbeing. Key enabling conditions for sustainable integration of pharmacists in psychosocial care include delineating their role, strengthening knowledge and competencies, and facilitating integrated care and collaboration. Further support for pharmacists and other primary care providers in psychosocial care is needed to bridge the gap between the health and social services.

Building an effective medicines optimisation model: a health system approach.

This commentary narrates on the building of an effective and innovative medicines optimisation model. It discusses the essential features, emphasizes the need, and considers the strong health and pharmacy system as a prerequisite before such a model could be built. The paper argues that it is important to strengthen the health system before the elements of pharmaceutical care and medicine optimisation can take shape. It discusses the discourse and interplay between medicine use and medicine access research. The other important elements to include are the "selection of medicines by health technology assessment", "economic evaluation of pharmacy services", "pharmacists' remuneration by the government", "Health system strengthening status", "quality use of generic medicines programmes", "rationale prescribing", "access to medicines and medicines pricing", "medicines advertising" and the "state of pharmacy practice and the development of the pharmacist's role". A set of different high-, middle- and low-income countries are used to provide examples of the status of the health system and the subsequent development of pharmacy practice and medicines optimisation. The countries include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Türkiye, Malaysia, India, and Pakistan.

Interventions to Expand Community Pharmacists' Scope of Practice.

The role of community pharmacists has evolved beyond the dispensing of medicines. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the interventions that expand the pharmacist's scope of practice within a community pharmacy setting and assess their effectiveness. We performed a scoping review to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs), published worldwide from 2013 to 2024, which focused on interventions designed to expand pharmacists' scope of practice in the community. The review was undertaken in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. To address the aim of this scoping review, the included RCTs were mapped to themes influenced by the Professional Practice Standards 2023 as developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia: medication management, collaborative care and medication adherence. Twelve studies demonstrated the potential to expand community pharmacists' scope of practice. Two RCTs resulted in no effect of the intervention. One RCT (conducted in Italy) led to an actual change to community pharmacists' scope of practice, with a statistically significant improvement in the proportion of patients with controlled asthma. On the whole, this scoping review synthesised the findings of peer-reviewed RCT studies that revealed expanding community pharmacists' scope of practice may result in improved patient outcomes, a reduced burden for the healthcare system, and greater productivity.

Introduction of a Pre-admission Pharmacist Service Utilising the Surgical Ward Pharmacist.

Background: The challenge with obtaining a best possible medication history (BPMH) post-surgery is the delay in clarifying medications due to decreased post-operative cognitive status and pain, which can lead to missed or late administration of medications. Studies have suggested that unintentional medication discrepancies at the time of admission are common in general medical patients. Objectives: To investigate if a pre-admission pharmacist completing BPMHs for adult elective surgery patients with planned overnight admission increases the proportion of patients with (i) a BPMH completed, (ii) medication reconciliation completed and (iii) all home medications charted correctly within 24hours of admission. Methods: Patients in the pre-intervention group had a BPMH completed on admission as standard of care. Patients in the post-intervention group were contacted by the pre-admission pharmacist 1 to 3 business days prior to admission to complete a BPMH. The pre-admission pharmacist role was performed by a surgical ward pharmacist in addition to their daily workload. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyse the data. Results: The post-intervention group had more patients with a completed BPMH (47.2% vs 25.3%, P = .005), medication reconciliation (43.8% vs 15.5%, P = .0001) and all home medications charted correctly (36% vs 16.9%, P = .007) within 24hours of admission compared with the pre-intervention group. Conclusion: The introduction of a pre-admission service utilising the surgical ward pharmacist increased the proportion of patients with a completed BPMH, medication reconciliation and home medications charted correctly within 24hours of admission.

The Role of Pharmacists in Health Promotion

Health promotion is regarded as instrumental in addressing the growing public healthcare concerns. It is recognized as instrumental in disease prevention and control. Health promotion can also be used as an instrumental tool to address the growing cases of non-communicable diseases. Health promotion is regarded as effective in disease prevention and control because it emphasizes the need for individuals to be in control over their own health. However, despite the significance of health promotion in disease prevention and control, it remains largely underutilized. One of the reasons why health promotion is underutilized is because of the lack of adequate healthcare personnel to take on health promotion initiatives. Expanding the role of pharmacists to include more involvement in health promotion initiatives can help to fill this gap. Some of the measures and initiatives pharmacists can get involved in are being part of building public health policies, creating supportive environments, providing health education, being in community action, ensuring medication safety, and disease prevention and control. To enable pharmacists to perform these measures effectively, there is a need to address the existing barriers and challenges. This will lead to positive outcomes and ensure pharmacists perform their roles effectively to enhance health promotion. Keywords: health promotion, pharmacists, health education, disease prevention and control, immunization

Combating the Obesity Crisis: The Role of Community Pharmacists in Addressing the Rising Obesity Numbers

The last decade has seen a significant increase in obesity and overweight cases globally. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 8 people globally were living with overweight and obesity in 2022. This is approximately 2.5 billion who are overweight and 890 million who are obese. The rate at which the obesity prevalence is an indication that it is ending towards being an epidemic. Considering that obesity is multifactorial, isolating the exact causes is a significant problem. As a result, there is a need to dedicate more resources towards addressing the problem. One of the ways that can be used to deal with the rising obesity prevalence is expanding the role of healthcare providers more so community pharmacists to address the problem. Community pharmacists can do more than drug management in managing the growing obesity crisis. They can be involved in weight management, guidance on lifestyle modifications, and counselling on behavior modifications. They can also be involved in community-based interventions that aim to address obesity. Keywords: obesity, obesity crisis, community pharmacists, energy intake, energy expenditure, weight management

Exploring the impact of pharmacist-supported medication reviews in dementia care: experiences of general practitioners and nurses

BackgroundDementia is a major global public health challenge, and with the growing elderly population, its prevalence is expected to increase in the coming years. In Sweden, municipalities are responsible for providing special housing for the elderly (SÄBO), which offers services and care for older individuals needing specific support. SÄBO is both the person´s home and a care environment and workplace. Polypharmacy in patients with dementia is common and increases the risk of medication interactions. Involving clinical pharmacists in medication reviews has been shown to enhance medication safety and improve prescribing practices. However, the views of the standard care team involved in medication prescribing, administration, monitoring and documentation on integrating pharmacist services have received less attention. Thus, this study aims to explore how pharmacists’ contributions can enhance medication safety, improve patient care efficiency, and potentially alleviate the workload of general practitioners for people with dementia living in special housing.MethodsThis study has a descriptive qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted in a southern Swedish special housing and included nurses, assistant nurses, general practitioners (GPs), and a pharmacist. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews were conducted over the phone. The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved the study.ResultsThe analysis revealed three main categories, and eleven subcategories.: (1) Integrating multidisciplinary approaches for holistic dementia care, (2) Strengthening dementia care through effective medication management and (3) Advancing dementia care through pharmacist integration and role expansion. Nurses focused on non-pharmacological treatments, while GPs emphasized the importance of medication reviews in assessing the benefits and side-effects of prescribed medication. Pharmacists were valued for their reliable medication expertise, appreciated by GPs for saving time and providing recommendations prior to consultations with individuals with dementia and their next-of-kin. Although medication reviews were considered beneficial, there was skepticism about their ability to solve all medication-related problems associated with dementia care.ConclusionsThis study highlights the critical role pharmacists play in enhancing medication safety and patient care efficiency in special housing for individuals with dementia. Despite the value of their contributions, communication barriers within healthcare teams pose significant challenges. Recognising potential pharmacist role expansion is essential to alleviate the workload of GPs and ensure effective collaborative practices for better patient outcomes.