Existing Obstacles Preventing Improvements in Rendering Pharmaceuticals by Pharmacists and Proposed Methods to Overcome Them

Today, the role of the pharmacist is not only limited to dispensing drugs to patients; but also to provide patients with guidelines to observe regarding dosage, route of administtration, possible side effects and drug interactions; it is imperative to ensure the patient’s cognizance and awareness of these issues. This paper sought to explain the obstacles against promotion of pharmaceutical care in Iran and proposed methods to overcome them.

Available studies and information on this topic were reviewed.

We failed to find a study in this field in Iran, though, scanty available data on “continuous nature of quality improvement” and introduction of a new role for pharmacists under the title of "pharmaceutical care" were found; in addition continuous promotion of quality of pharmaceutical care may be necessary. Improving the quality of pharmaceutical care should be  based on empowering pharmacists, improvement of knowledge, attitude, skills and behavior.

We proposed a number specific strategies to improve the quality of pharmaceutical care in our country. Based on the upstream programs in our health care system, notable drug production and sufficient number of pharmacy graduates, there is a bright future for achieving the desired goals for pharmaceutical care.