Ambulatory care pharmacy in Saudi Arabia; definition, history, present, future potentials, and expected challenges

Abstract

Introduction: The ambulatory care pharmacy practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a fairly new but evolving specialty that has provided patient-centered care in various clinics over the past 20 years. It mainly resembles the United States in its structure and provides its services to patients mostly free of charge. The Saudi Vision 2030 and the new transformation in its health care system present many opportunities for ambulatory care clinical pharmacists with some expected challenges. Method: This is a review written by a group of experts under the Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacy umbrella propose a definition and comprehensively review the history of ambulatory care pharmacy practice in KSA, the currently available services, potential future opportunities, and expected challenges. Results: The expert's insight would support the ambulatory care pharmacy practice in KSA, evaluate the need to expand its services, define its role, and suggest set requirements for pharmacists to be eligible to provide ambulatory care pharmacy services. Conclusion: The position statement recommendations may help legislative bodies provide a more explicit explanation of ambulatory care pharmacy services in KSA to build a more robust base structure for such services.