Pharmacy practice and policy research in Pakistan: A review of literature between 2014 and 2019

Abstract

Globally, there is no single representative policy directing pharmacy practice, and different nations show divergences in ongoing pharmaceutical policy and practice. Pharmacy practice and policy research is very important for any nation as it helps to drive the profession forward. This is even more important in developing nations where the health systems require a degree of strengthening to allow pharmacy to operate to its maximum potential. This chapter includes an analysis of what has been studied in Pakistan with regard to pharmacy practice and policy research over the period 2014-2019. This chapter follows a systematic approach to ensure that all the appropriate literature is included. Likewise, the analytic process followed an accepted approach and generated seven interesting domains of study that have occurred over a five-year period. These domains include drug utilization patterns and irrational practices, pharmacovigilance (PV) and adverse drug reaction reporting, community pharmacy practices, emerging role of pharmacists, access to medicines, the concept of generic medicines and practice-based research. It is interesting to see the umbrella of pharmacy practice and policy research extending from the traditional pharmacists’ role of dispensing, distribution, and administration to emerging research areas such as pharmaceutical care (PC), PV and medication therapy management (MTM). This has been occurring in developed nations for the past few decades, and it is not without its challenges. This chapter outlines the need to continue developing the research agenda around pharmacy practice and policy in Pakistan to support the ongoing lobby for improved practice. Without this evidence, it is difficult to engage key local and international stakeholders to push forward with what the future should look like for pharmacy services in Pakistan.