Community Pharmacists' Management of Minor Ailments in Tripoli, Libya: An Exploratory Study of Practices, Prevalence,...

Minor ailments, though self-limiting, are major contributors to global healthcare burdens. Community pharmacists (CPs) are well-positioned to manage these conditions, reducing unnecessary physician visits and healthcare costs. However, their role in Libya remains undocumented, with no formal guidelines or standardized practices. Therefore, this study assessed Libyan CPs' practices, the prevalence of minor ailments encountered, and the challenges faced in delivering these services. An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Researchers visited 200 community pharmacies in Tripoli, Libya, between October 2024 and January 2025, including only one pharmacist per pharmacy. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Most CPs were female (61.5%) and aged 21-30 (58%). A significant qualification gap was identified; only 54% held the mandatory qualification for independent practice, while 44% were assistant pharmacists with technical diplomas. High-prevalence conditions included headache (89%), fever (85%), and the common cold (73%). Pharmacists primarily relied on patient-reported symptoms (90%) and spent ≤5 minutes per consultation (50.5%). Key challenges included managing pregnant (67%) and geriatric patients (63.5%), workflow interruptions (25.5%), and a lack of formal training (only 51% received pre-graduation education). Libyan CPs actively manage minor ailments but face systemic barriers, including inadequate consultation time, a lack of guidelines, and difficulties with complex cases. Implementing structured minor ailment schemes, enhancing pharmacist training, and fostering interprofessional collaboration could optimize their role in Libya's healthcare system.