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

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study was conducted in order to identify the role of community pharmacists in public health andthe public health related problems which are encountered.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 87 community pharmacists answered a questionnaire form about sociodemographiccharacteristics, public health counseling roles and barriers. The data was summarized as mean ± standard deviation andpercentage. 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, whilethe percentage of those who thought they were able to realized it was 78.2%. Limited authority (63.2%), insufficient timeand workload (52.6%) were the leading causes of ineffectivity of the pharmacists in public health. The causes that preventedreceiving consultancy services were shame (64.4%), the education level of the client (51.7%) and gender difference betweenthe pharmacist and client (48.3%). The pharmacists thought that their professional reputation should be improved in order toimprove 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 pharmaciespublic health counseling centers.