Pharmacists' perspectives on community pharmacy-based colorectal cancer prevention: a qualitative evaluation

This study aimed to evaluate the colorectal cancer screening program (CCSP) 'PROLAMVANO' in Greece through the insights and experiences of participating community pharmacists (CPs).

This qualitative research study used semi-structured interviews with 18 CPs who offered the CCSP from various regions of Greece, based on snowball and convenience sampling methods. Data collection occurred between September 2024 and January 2025, with all interviews audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed after obtaining ethical approval.

The main results revealed three key themes: the training of CPs before the program's initiation, the implementation of the CCSP within the community pharmacy, and the role of CPs in colorectal cancer prevention and their contribution to primary healthcare. CPs expressed mixed views regarding the adequacy of the training they received, with several suggesting improvements. Based on the responses, the program's implementation faced challenges, such as moderate participation from citizens and affiliated doctors, and limited feedback on test results. However, pharmacists recognized the importance of their role in prevention and showed willingness to contribute to the program's success, notably emphasizing the need for permanent prevention programs and services rather than the prevalence of opportunistic initiatives.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore providers' perceptions of the CCSP. It emphasized the need to improve pharmacist training, increase citizen participation, and enhance communication among stakeholders for effective implementation. The findings suggest that embedding structured, sustainable prevention programs into pharmacy practice could strengthen the contribution of CPs to primary healthcare in Greece.