Perspectives on an amended law addressing pharmacists' availability in community pharmacies

Little attention has been given to perceptions of pharmacist availability and role in the community setting following policy changes. The Pakistani model is particularly interesting as it encompasses three different pharmacy practice licensure types with major differences in credentials, training, and role. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study examined factors associated with the availability of pharmacists in the community setting in Pakistan following the implementation of a new policy regulating pharmacist presence in community pharmacies.

Fifteen participants were interviewed in three Pakistani cities (Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar). Those included pharmacy licence holders (types A, B, and C), non-pharmacist owners and a pharmacist inspector who were purposively sampled to assure variance in education, gender, time in practice, and geographic location. Directed content analysis was performed based on the TPB framework. Description of themes came after discussions among the two authors.

Findings indicated a discrepancy between participants about the value of having a pharmacist present with pharmacists showing more appreciation of the value they would provide. Participants felt that the new policy is attempting to change a norm that has existed for a long time. They also pointed to logistical challenges in making a pharmacist available including the feasibility of having a pharmacist present, the financial burden of hiring a pharmacist, and difficulty in enforcing the law uniformly across different geographical areas. Participants were concerned that some type A licence holders sensed that practicing in the community setting and the act of selling medications was beneath their social status as pharmacists.

A set of factors contribute to the availability of pharmacists in community pharmacies in Pakistan. The change in law should be supplemented with other interventions that contribute to making well-trained pharmacy personnel available for serving patrons.