Enhancing chronic kidney disease screening through community pharmacists: a systematic review of pharmacist-led strategies

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 700 million people worldwide, with its prevalence rising steadily each year. Early diagnosis remains challenging due to a lack of awareness of CKD risk factors and the absence of noticeable symptoms in the initial stages. Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in CKD screening and patient education. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this systematic review was to identify specific pharmacist-led interventions in community pharmacy settings that support CKD detection, assess their effectiveness, and evaluate their impact on patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS The review was conducted in accordance with the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and, given the absence of randomized trials, it included nonrandomized controlled trials and observational studies. A comprehensive search was carried out across 3 databases in 2025: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. RESULTS Nine original clinical research articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that pharmacist-led interventions in the community pharmacies are diverse but consistently contribute to early detection of CKD. Moreover, the pharmacists can further help by supporting ongoing CKD management, enhancing collaboration with general practitioners within coordinated care frameworks, and increasing public awareness of the disease. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacist involvement in CKD screening improves public understanding of CKD risk factors, facilitates earlier initiation of treatment, and contributes to better long-term patient outcomes.