Public Health Pharmacists Research Articles

Effective influence of Community Pharmacists in Public Health Using Blockchain Technology to Secure Patient Data and Enhance Healthcare Delivery

The advent of healthcare delivery drones, a novel unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), has opened the door to a more comprehensive approach to developing smart health services. Internet of Things (IoT)-based healthcare delivery via UAVs has not been fully realized because of a lack of augmentation-aware concepts. Despite community pharmacists' strong clinical expertise and ease of patient access, they cannot provide comprehensive clinical services due to a lack of access to patient data. Blockchain could be a solution if it's concerned about the reliability and security of drone deliveries over untrusted open channels. Hence, this study proposes the Internet of Things and Blockchain Technology-assisted Drone Healthcare Delivery System (IoT-BT-DHDS) for enhancing access to healthcare information in the community pharmacy environment. Ensuring the security of drone operations is crucial to protect users from any breaches that might result in physical and financial loss. This research suggests an oT-BT-DHDS that authenticates and registers the involved entities, such as objects (healthcare supplies), warehouses (healthcare centres), and drones, to address these security concerns and make the delivery progression visible. This research achieves its goals by analyzing several parameters that impact the time and number of transactions required for authentication on the Ethereum platform, which is used to build smart contracts and blockchain. The suggested strategy is shown to be effective by results acquired from a simulated environment compared to alternative models based on an access control ratio of 98.9%, data management ratio of 97.4% and resource utilization ratio of 96.4% to other existing models.

A Participatory Approach Involving Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Healthcare Professionals for the Co-Design of an Adherence-Enhancing Intervention Toolkit.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-shortening disease involving a significant treatment burden. Few interventions have been proven effective in improving adherence, and of these fewer have been adopted for implementation. Patient participation in research is increasingly desired in developing relevant health care services. A participatory approach was implemented in an adult CF center to co-design an adherence-enhancing intervention toolkit. We aimed to report on the participatory process and the results regarding the co-designed intervention. Two focus group sessions and four working sessions were conducted at 4-week intervals with three healthcare professionals (HCP; physician, nurse, physiotherapist), eight patients, and two researchers (sociologist, public health pharmacist). The two initial focus group sessions were dedicated to the collection of narratives about CF treatment experiences to identify drivers of adherence. The next four working sessions were dedicated to the reflection on solutions that could alleviate the difficulties identified and be used in current clinical practice. The researchers observed during all sessions the interactions between participants, group dynamics, and process of implementation of the collective reflection. The process facilitated an active participation of patients and HCP, who contributed equally to the intervention development. The co-design adherence-enhancing intervention toolkit consisted in a self-questionnaire to be completed by patients before the medical consultation and used as a communication support during the consultation, plus a toolkit of solutions to be proposed by the HCP for each barrier identified by patients, and to be followed up during the next consultation. This study demonstrated that a participatory approach involving CF patients and HCP lead to the development of an adherence-enhancing intervention toolkit, using a 6-session format; the benefits of the co-designed intervention on the medication adherence have yet to be tested in a multicenter, open-label study in 3 centers in France.

Role of Community Pharmacist in Public Health Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background and Aims: Currently, the scope of practice has allowed pharmacists to engage in the clinical aspects of direct patient care and public health services to the patient. This study's main objective is to investigate community pharmacists' involvement in public health services and the barriers in the health system that hinder the integration of community pharmacy professionals into the public health task in the local context of Saudi Arabia.
 Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in community pharmacies in a different region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (June and July 2019). A sample was calculated to include 431 pharmacists working in different community pharmacies proportionally randomly selected from the five areas in Riyadh city. A multistage, stratified, random sample method was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. A P value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.
 Results: The 431 participants showed the dominance of male pharmacists (97.2%), non-Saudi (84.9%), and Bachelor’s pharmacy degrees (81.2%). Most of the participants were involved in smoking cessation (83.1%) as public health services, weight management (62.4%), but less involvement in activities related to physical activities or dietary intake (33.0%, 31.8%, respectively). More likely the involvement of the Saudi pharmacist in lifestyle activities in comparison to non-Saudi (AOR:1.932; 95% CI: 1.125 - 3.320). Moreover, the perceived barrier in the involvement level was more associated with years of experience.
 Conclusion: This study showed that community pharmacists should play an important role in health promotion and prevention; they recognize a wide gap between ideal and actual levels of participation. The researcher presents the main barriers to the role of the pharmacist to improve the level of the individual and society because many obstacles limit the role of the pharmacist in public health.

Emerging Roles of Community Pharmacist in Public Health: A Review on ASIA

This study's aim was to conduct a comprehensive review of previously published research publications related to the emerging roles of community pharmacists in public health in Asia. It aims to analyze the new roles that community pharmacists are being called upon to fill in Asian regions in public health with also a focus on maximizing the full capacity of pharmacist skills and development to public health, a continuing advocate, and first-line empowerment of providing pharmacy information queries. The written works of this study utilized a systematic search of existing literature, including articles reporting on the emerging roles of community pharmacists in public health, using the following databases: Cochrane, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed/Medline, and Research Gate. Hand searching relevant articles on the research topic were employed to help ensure the confinement of all necessary existing literature/articles. The intervention or services types are classified based on the following: smoking cessation services, weight management services, alcohol reduction services, chronic disease management, drug misuse prevention and management services, and immunization and vaccination services; each comprises different major processes aiming to improve an individual's health status providing ways upon validation that are crucial for the betterment of public healthcare. In accordance with the studies, community pharmacist-led public-health programs markedly strengthened the efficiency, steadfastness, and cost-effectiveness of the allocation of public health resources whilst still optimizing the health of clients and patients, specifically whenever it arrives at assessing prospective issues and individuals who seek specialized care. Notwithstanding such, community pharmacy operations still necessitate modification to satisfy the evolving demands of consumers of modern medications. Training must attempt to boost pharmacists' confidence in supplying these services if community pharmacies are to elevate the public health services they serve. A proactive approach to the delivery of public health care by confident, well-trained pharmacists should have a favorable impact on client attitudes and health.

Role of the specialty pharmacist in public health: A focus on sharps disposal

An intersection of the pharmacy profession and public health is the role of the specialty pharmacist. The specialty pharmacist is in a unique position to prevent unnecessary financial burden on the health care system by preventing community-acquired needlestick injuries through patient education regarding the proper disposal of sharps. Many specialty medications are injectable agents with varying injection frequencies ranging from multiple injections per day to 1 dose per year. Programs should be implemented at specialty pharmacies to fill this patient education gap. This distinct service to patients and the profession will continue to grow alongside the niche of specialty pharmacy.

Evaluation of the first pharmacy-led weight management programme in Greece

Abstract Introduction Obesity is one of the main cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.(1) In primary care, pharmacists are in a unique position to offer weight management (WM) interventions. Greece is the European country with the highest number of pharmacies (84.06 pharmacies per 100,000 citizens).(2) The UK was chosen as a reference country, because of the structured public health services offered, the local knowledge and because it was considered to be the closest country to Greece geographically, unlike Australia and Canada, where there is also evidence confirming the potential role of pharmacists in WM. Aim To design and evaluate a 10-week WM programme offered by trained pharmacists in Patras. Methods This WM programme was a step ahead of other interventions worldwide as apart from the usual measuring parameters (weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP)) it also offered an AUDIT-C and Mediterranean diet score tests. Results In total,117 individuals participated. Of those, 97.4% (n=114), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean % of total weight loss (10th week) was 8.97% (SD2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P<0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). The programme also helped participants to reduce their waist-to-height ratio, an early indicator of the CVD risk in both male (P=0.004) and female (P<0.001) participants. Additionally, it improved participants’ BP, AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion The research is the first systematic effort in Greece to initiate and explore the potential role of pharmacists in public health. The successful results of this WM programme constitute a first step towards the structured incorporation of pharmacists in public’s health promotion. It proposed a model for effectively delivering public health services in Greece. This study adds to the evidence in relation to pharmacists’ CVD role in public health with outcomes that superseded other pharmacy-led WM programmes. It also provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public’s benefit and their clinical role enhancement. This primary evidence should support the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, to “fight” for their rights for an active role in primary care. In terms of limitations, it must be noted that the participants’ collected data were recorded by pharmacists, and the analysis therefore depended on the accuracy of the recorded data, in particular on the measurements or calculations obtained. Although the sample size was achieved, it can be argued that it is small for the generalisation of findings across Greece. Therefore, the WM programme should be offered in other Greek cities to identify if similar results can be replicated, so as to consolidate the contribution of pharmacists in promoting public health. Additionally, the study was limited as it did not include a control group. Despite the limitations, our findings provide a model for a pharmacy-led public health programme revolving around WM that can be used as a model for services in the future.

A Comprehensive Understanding of the Use of e-Learning in Continuing Education: Experiences of Pharmacists in a Public Health System.

Introduction: The health and education sectors have experienced rapid technological development. In this scenario, the use of Internet technology has grown as an option for the expansion of continuing education (CE), as it allows professionals to develop educational activities with flexibility, autonomy, and convenience. E-learning has gained popularity and currently, thousands of online courses are being offered. However, studies of e-learning in professional training have presented only a few specific foci of study. Objective: to develop a comprehensive approach to understand both the experience and the complex scenario of the use of e-learning in the CE for pharmacists. Method: Field research in 10 Brazilian states through interviews and focus groups with alumni of a CE e-learning specialization course for pharmacists in public health. Data analysis used the model of socio-technical systems and was based on a framework with the components Objectives, People, Processes, Culture, Technology, Infrastructure, and Scenario. Results: The People and Culture components indicated the assimilation and normalization of technologies in the educational process. Although the infrastructure (technical and organizational) was deficient in some regions, the Technology component suggested that the characteristics of the course design, associated with the personal characteristics of the students, provided ways to overcome obstacles. The objectives of the use of distance education seem to be related to the possibility of greater accessibility and autonomy. The Processes component, in turn, revealed the burden that a e-learning course puts on the pharmacist. Conclusion: E-learning proved to be useful to enable and expand access to education, providing pharmacists with an opportunity for CE. On the other hand, e-learning contributes to the normalization of the precarious working conditions of pharmacists, attributing to individuals the sole responsibility for the CE even in an institutional CE program, which results in work overload.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION AS A PROFESSIONAL FUNCTION OF A PHARMACIST − ANALYSIS OF EXPECTATIONS AND PREFERENCES OF PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES CONSUMERS

Implementation of state problems in the field of public health protection is impossible without the participation of phar- maceutical specialists, which requires a comprehensive assessment of existing practices in the field of health and social work from the consumers’ view. The purpose of the research is to study the expectations, preferences and consumers satisfaction with the level of participation of pharmacists in maintaining and improving the public health. Materials and methods. The assessment of consumer expectations and preferences was based on the analysis of the survey results using standard methods of statistical analysis (two-sample student test, nonparametric Mann-Whitney test with a significance level of p<0.05, Friedman’s rank analysis of variance) in the software products Statistica 10 and Microsoft Excel. Results. Analysis of consumer expectations and their satisfaction regarding the participation of pharmacists in public health has allowed to define the portrait of the most competent and at the same time demanding visitor pharmacies. It’s a woman 36-50 years old with higher education that has got children up to 18 years and/or older relatives (friends), and/or with chronic diseases and receiving multiple medications on a regular basis. With increasing age, the number of chronic diseases and, consequently, the number of necessary medications, consumer expectations are also increase. The public reaction to the participation of pharmacists in public health protection is mostly positive, however the pharmaceutical specialist is more widely perceived in society as an expert on medicines, rather than on healthcare in general. For all consumers of pharmaceutical services, the most significant characteristic is the level of pharmacists’ professional compe- tence. Regular consumers of pharmacy services express a higher willingness to follow the pharmacists’ recommendations to pre- serve and promote health (such as healthy diet, physical activity, solving problems associated with quitting smoking). At the same time, consumers without any health problems are less motivated to receive health-saving recommendations from a pharmacist. Conclusion: The modern society is aware of the significant role of pharmacists in the implementation of health-saving technologies, although the range of their professional tasks rarely goes further than the sphere of medicines supply. This fact requires the phar- macy manager to focus on monitoring the compliance of specialists ‘ competencies with consumer expectations. The greatest interest in receiving health-saving recommendations from pharmacists is shown by older patients having chronic dis- eases and taking medicines on a regular basis, while the involvement of other categories of pharmacy’s visitors in preventive con- sultations remains low. This circumstance indicates the potential for strengthening the preventive component of pharmaceutical counseling, which will allow visitors to form a deeper understanding of pharmacists as full participants in the healthcare system.

Enhancing the Public Health Role of Community Pharmacists – A Qualitative Research Utilising the Theoretical Domains Framework

The current global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has once again highlighted the need to enhance the role of community pharmacists in public health. In 2012, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that global deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as about 38 million (68%). Most of these conditions are preventable through public health initiatives involving community pharmacists. This study aims to explore strategies enhancing the public health role of community pharmacists. Data was collected through telephone interviews, supported by Skype (audio), and recorded using the 'HD Call Recorder for Skype'. The qualitative data software package NVivo (version 10) was used for the storage, retrieval and analysis of data. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used. In addition, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used to underpin the research throughout. This study identified a number of strategies that could enhance the public health role of community pharmacists, some of which include: integrating undergraduate healthcare programmes; broadening the public health knowledge of students and pharmacists; pharmacists working alongside other healthcare professionals; teaching communication methods to students and pharmacists; teaching the use of new technologies and social media; etc. In addition, most of the 14 domains of TDF and several of their constructs were captured in the interview. To enhance the public health role of community pharmacists, it is necessary to develop pharmacists' capacity in several areas, particularly as it relates to, the use new technologies and social media in public health; enhancing training of pharmacists/students in public health; empowering pharmacists in public health; as well as teaching communication methods to students and pharmacists. Part of the strategy will also be, to integrate healthcare programmes through interdisciplinary initiatives, and changing the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum to increase its public health content.

Public health services at community pharmacies and strategies for expanding the role of pharmacists

Abstract Pharmacy practice is evolving and the role of pharmacists in public health is expanding in many countries. The objective of this work was to analyse involvement of community pharmacy staff in public health activities, as well as to identify opinion of pharmacy professionals about strategies for expanding their public health role in Armenia. Survey was conducted in different regions of Armenia. Pharmacists and technicians working in community pharmacies were asked to complete pre-tested questionnaire that includes questions about their involvement in public health activity, motivation and opinion on strategies for improvement of the situation. 162 pharmacy professionals completed the questionnaire. Data were analysed with SPSS statistical software, version 22.0. 76.5% of responders indicated that they agree that community pharmacy practice should involve provision of public health services. Only 22.2% of community pharmacists and technicians reported that they are currently engaged in any public health activity. The main reasons for providing public health services indicated by responders are professional responsibility (84.6%), patients' satisfaction (66.0%) and personal satisfaction (63.6%). 80.2% of responders suppose that providing public health services in community pharmacies can have an impact on improving population health. Respondents indicated strategies which could be effective for expanding pharmacists' role in public health: increasing public awareness (82.7%), expanding pharmacists' knowledge (82.1%) and guidelines (71.6%). Only part of pharmacy professionals is engaged in public health activity. Many of them believe that certain strategies are able to improve the situation with involvement of community pharmacy staff in providing public health services in Armenia. Key messages Pharmacists are motivated to implement public health services. Special strategies should be introduced to increase engagement of pharmacists in public health.

Point-of-care testing and counseling at community pharmacies

Abstract An increasing number of patients seek advice at community pharmacies in terms of prevention, detection and initial management of certain conditions and diseases. Some countries have introduced pharmacy-based screening programs and counseling. The objective of this work was to analyze the situation on providing screening and counseling at community pharmacies in Armenia. The staff of randomly selected community pharmacies located in various regions of Armenia was asked to complete pre-tested questionnaire. The data were analysed with SPSS statistical software, version 22.0. 62.9% of 353 responded professionals reported availability of conditions for monitoring blood pressure, 14.4% - for monitoring glucose level, 11.3% - for doing pregnancy test, 9.6% - for testing cholesterol, 2.0% - for monitoring asthma using peak flow meter. 86.7% indicated accessibility of conditions for private discussion with patients. Small number of pharmacy professionals reported that during the last year they were engaged in diabetes management (10.2%) and HIV/AIDS/TB management (7.9%). 7.4% of respondents were involved in family planning activity. 97.5% of pharmacy professionals considers that being active in providing general health information to patients is important and 89.2% reported about being active. The number of professionals who are active in providing general health information to patients is significantly higher among those who attended continuing education courses than among those who did not (p = 0.003). Only part of community pharmacies is able to provide point-of-care testing. Professionals are rarely involved in disease management. They are active in providing general health information. Continuing education improves situation with engagement of pharmacy professionals in public health activity. Key messages There is need to improve the situation with providing point-of-care testing at community pharmacies. Training increases involvement of community pharmacists in public health.

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

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.

A case-based learning exercise to increase students' understanding of the pharmacist's role in public health interventions for individual patients

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a public health (PH) micro-level case-based learning exercise increased pharmacy students' self-perceived understanding and confidence in their role as PH pharmacists. MethodsThree PH micro-level case-based learning exercises in community pharmacy settings were developed and integrated into the third professional year PH course. Students enrolled in the PH course from January 2012 – May 2015 completed a pre- and post-activity survey consisting of 22 statements with Likert scale responses. Survey questions were grouped into domains: perceptions of pharmacist roles (ROLES) in PH, confidence in ability to identify and address PH problems (CONF), pharmacist impact on improving PH outcomes for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (IMPACT-HIV), diabetes (IMPACT-DM), or alcoholism (IMPACT-AL), perceiving pharmacists as role models in PH (MODEL), and whether PH is beyond the scope of pharmacy practice (SCOPE). Within each domain, paired t-tests were performed on summated scores (pre- vs. post-, alpha = 0.05). ResultsBoth surveys were completed by 271 of 336 students (80.7%). Baseline scores were lowest in the CONF and MODEL domains. The activity resulted in significant changes in 21 out of 24 survey questions. Significantly higher scores were found for domains of ROLES (+1.22), CONF (+1.60), IMPACT-HIV (+0.65), IMPACT-DM (+0.42), IMPACT-AL (+0.70), and MODEL (+1.50). Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.73 to 0.93 for each domain. ConclusionA PH case-based learning session increased students' scores on a pre- and post-activity survey regarding PH challenges at the micro-level. The activity improved students' perceptions and confidence in providing PH interventions.

Results of the 2017 inspection campaign of French phase I/II research sites in Île-de-France following the BIA 10-2474 accident: Medical vs. regulatory relevance

Following the serious adverse events that occurred in January 2016 during the BIA10-2474 First-in-Human study, the French Ministry of Health asked the Regional Health Agencies to inspect operations at all research sites conducting phase I/II clinical trials of experimental drugs. The aim of this study was to assess the medical relevance of the inspections made in Île-de-France (Paris region) in 2017. All 30 sites of Île-de-France region fully authorized to perform phase I/II trials were inspected by a public health physician and a public health pharmacist. Their reported list of observations was submitted to three physicians with longstanding experience of early pharmacology studies performed in academic or private research facilities. These physicians were asked to adjudicate each observation according to their perceived medical importance regarding safety. Adjudications were first performed separately and disagreements were later settled during a final adjudication meeting. At least one disagreement occurred initially among the 3 adjudicators for 84 of the 120 observations (70%) reported by the inspectors. Following reconciliation, the 3 physicians agreed that 20% of the observations were likely to have potentially serious medical consequences. These observations mainly concerned the management of emergencies and of serious adverse events and the continuity of care. Maintenance of on-site inspections periodically carried out by regulatory authorities granting authorisations to perform phase I/II trials are justified. However, the medical relevance of these inspections can be improved with more emphasis on factors affecting the safety of research participants than on administrative or purely regulatory issues.

Economic Evaluation of Introducing Public Health Pharmacist

Economic Evaluation of Introducing Public Health Pharmacist

Pharmacists in Public Health: Scope in Home and Abroad

In the course of recent years, the job of pharmacists has advanced alongside the human services needs of our populace. Notwithstanding dispensing medications and guaranteeing persistent security, the present pharmacists are playing a bigger job as medical instructors, teachers and advocates. They are integral part of the health care team, and are among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals. This accessibility permits them to show more patient care activities, including counseling, medication management, and preventive care screenings. Beyond the care gives to individual patients, pharmacists have developed their reach to influence the public health of communities. A pharmacist is uniquely positioned to gives disease state management through appropriate medication therapy management that has been reveal to improve patient outcomes and decrease overall health care costs. This job could easily compare to ever as nature is demanding new practice and installment models that are required to additionally enhance care and results while tending to the unsustainable increments in medicinal services costs.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: Exploring the potential for expanding the role of pharmacists in public health

ObjectivesThe study objectives were to a) assess knowledge and experience; b) describe perceptions and attitudes; and c) identify training needs of community-based pharmacists regarding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). DesignThis was a cross-sectional survey study. Setting and participantsThe survey was administered online to pharmacists practicing in a community setting in the state of Minnesota. Outcome measuresMeasures included knowledge of and experience with HIV PrEP, perceptions and attitudes towards pharmacists' involvement, and HIV PrEP-specific training needs for pharmacists. ResultsWith a survey response rate of approximately 13% (n = 347), most respondents (76.4%) agreed that HIV PrEP can be beneficial in high-risk populations. Forty-six percent of respondents were not aware of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for PrEP. Most respondents (71.1%) were "not at all familiar" with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for PrEP. Twenty-one percent of respondents had sufficient knowledge to counsel patients on PrEP. Experience with counseling on PrEP (21.8%), having dispensed PrEP in the last 2 years (33.1%), fewer years in practice (≤10 years), location of practice site (urban or suburban), and having received HIV continuing education in the last 2 years (33.0%) were associated with more knowledge of HIV PrEP. Top concerns with counseling were knowledge about the medication and behavior modification. The most frequently indicated primary concerns with implementing PrEP initiatives were identifying appropriate candidates and patient adherence. ConclusionAs pharmacists' roles continue to expand, relevant content in pharmacy education and requisite training (including continuing education) are critical to addressing knowledge gaps and competencies that will enable pharmacists engage more effectively in public health efforts such as HIV prevention.

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of final-year student pharmacists in public health in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe: an exploratory survey.

To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice of final-year student pharmacists about public health. Knowledge, attitudes and practice of all final-year student pharmacists (N = 158) in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were assessed through a quantitative 12-item survey. The survey assessed personal interest and attitude towards public health activities, self-assessed ability to perform basic public health activities, perspectives towards current pharmacist practices within public health activities in their country, and student involvement in public health activities during pharmacy school. Eighty-two per cent of students responded to the survey (n = 129). The majority (95%) of all final-year student pharmacists are interested in contributing to public health activities in both health promotion and disease prevention and feel, as pharmacists, they have the responsibility to do so. Additionally, the majority of students would like more education during pharmacy school on health promotion (93%) and disease prevention (89%). Despite their interest, low numbers of student pharmacists feel that pharmacists are currently utilised in disease prevention (35%) and health promotion (42%). Final-year student pharmacists in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe express strong interest in public health education and involvement in public health activities. This interest and enthusiasm can serve as evidence for advancing public health education in the pharmacy curricula and for developing pharmacist opportunities in public health efforts that match the needs of the country.

Addressing the global need for public health clinical pharmacists through student pharmacist education: a focus on developing nations

It is time for pharmacists to begin advancing their roles in public health and play a more integral part in public health initiatives. Within developed nations, the profession has demonstrated its value in advancing preventive care; however, the same cannot be said for pharmacists worldwide. Emphasis on training public health pharmacists should also be on developing nations, where the need for preventive care is highly unmet. To ensure all graduating pharmacists are prepared to engage in public health activities, education in this field must be provided during their main years of pharmacy school. In conclusion, public health education should be incorporated into pharmacy curriculae within developing nations so all pharmacy graduates are prepared to engage in public health activities.

Pharmacists In National Public Health Programs In India: A Pilot Study Highlighting Physicians’ Perceptions

Background: Community pharmacists could play more potential role when finding ways to allocate effectively limited healthcare resources in primary care in many developing countries, including India. Pharmacists could participate in national public health programs, and cooperate effectively with other members of health care team. This small-scale pilot study was designed to develop a method for characterizing physicians’ perceptions on the role of pharmacists in public health and patient care in India. Methods: Six volunteers visited 800 physicians in Southern region in India and collected data in 2014. The survey tool consisted of 28 structured questions concerning: (i) physicians’ experiences of cooperation with pharmacists; (ii) physicians’ general opinion on pharmacists’ involvement in National Public Health Programs (NPHPs) in India; and (iii) pharmacists’ involvement in 11 major NPHPs. The data were collated and extracted and descriptive statistical analysis was conducted by SAS (version 9.3). Results: Of total 800 physicians contacted, 129 responded. Of the responding physicians 98% were comfortable with pharmacists’ roles in general, 96% were comfortable or somewhat comfortable to collaborate with pharmacists, and 82% regarded pharmacists as part of health care team. The physicians with shorter professional practice were more positive on pharmacists’ involvement in NPHPs than physicians having at least 11 years’ experience. Overall response of accepting pharmacists’ role and involvement in NPHPs was positive, Pulse Polio, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Tobacco control, and Leprosy eradication programs being the top NPHPs where physicians perceived pharmacists had a role to play. Conclusion: This small-scale pilot study indicates that Indian physicians are willing to collaborate with pharmacists and are comfortable to involve them in the health care team. The survey also revealed differences in opinions between junior and senior physicians: the longer physicians’ practice experience was, the less favorable they were for pharmacists’ involvement in NPHPs. Key words: National Public Health Programs, pharmacists India, healthcare, cooperative practice, physicians, pharmacist role in public health