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Pharmacist-Led Prescribing in Austria: A Mixed-Methods Study on Clinical Readiness and Legal Frameworks
Olaf Rose1,2, Clarissa Egel1, Johanna Pachmayr1,2
1Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology and Clinical Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 22, 2025
Summary
Austrian pharmacists show readiness for expanded clinical roles, with community pharmacists often using judgment in emergencies. Systemic support and training are crucial for broader engagement and improved patient care.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Services Research
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Community pharmacists in Austria can dispense prescription drugs in emergencies.
- Hospital pharmacists have defined roles in therapy adaptation with physician approval.
- Understanding pharmacist interpretation and application of these frameworks is essential for optimizing healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore Austrian pharmacists' interpretation and application of existing dispensing and therapy adjustment frameworks.
- To assess pharmacists' readiness for expanded clinical roles.
- To identify systemic conditions necessary for enhanced clinical engagement.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study employing a cross-sectional design.
- Two online surveys distributed to community and hospital pharmacists.
- Fifteen semi-structured interviews (10 community, 5 hospital) and quantitative/qualitative data analysis using triangulation.
Main Results:
- Community pharmacists frequently use clinical judgment in urgent situations, navigating regulatory ambiguities.
- Over 88% of pharmacists support expanded roles, including contraceptive management, chronic disease care, and point-of-care testing for infections.
- Hospital pharmacists reported challenges in implementing their framework due to institutional factors and limited data access, with low confidence in clinical decisions.
Conclusions:
- Austrian pharmacists are prepared for expanded clinical responsibilities, particularly in community settings.
- Addressing institutional inertia, improving data access, and providing targeted training are vital for hospital pharmacists.
- Policy support and enhanced training are essential to facilitate broader clinical engagement and optimize pharmaceutical care in Austria.
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