Pharmacy, pharmaceuticals and public policy: Solving the puzzle.

Increasing pressure on healthcare demand and delivery has resulted in the development of new roles and services for pharmacists. As current models of pharmacy practice continue to be evaluated, pharmacists must be involved in identifying new areas that may require research. In order to do so, the current vision of the future of pharmacy practice is discussed in this commentary. Issues such as adequate funding, professional competency and building strong interprofessional relationships are still identified as major barriers to change. These barriers have been grouped into the themes that form a conceptual model of the factors affecting the future of pharmacy practice, which have led to the development of key questions for the future.

The future of pharmacy practice research - Perspectives of academics and practitioners from Australia, NZ, United Kingdom, Canada and USA.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare is under significant pressure with the explosion of long term conditions, shift in worldwide demographics and is evolving through advances in technology. Aligned with this is the changing role of pharmacy from the traditional dispenser of medicines to having (in addition) a more advanced clinical role. This study aimed to understand what the pharmacy practice research agenda might look like from the viewpoint of pharmacy academics and practitioners across five high-income countries. METHOD: Qualitative methods were used, and thirty one-hour interviews were undertaken with practitioners and academics from five economically advanced countries. These nations have comparable socio-economic status but differing health systems and include; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America. Six key informants were chosen from each country, three academics and three community pharmacists. A general inductive analysis was undertaken to analyse the most common and recurring themes. RESULTS: These themes of research were based around current community pharmacy practice issues and the enablers to changing the profession. Specific areas pharmacy practice could be more involved with included long term health conditions. Some community pharmacists also believed that research into the impact of professional standards and policy change would be beneficial. The findings of this research suggest that current pharmacy practice research methods are sufficient, but need to be used more effectively. CONCLUSION: Participants identified a wide range of issues within community pharmacy practice. Academics largely focused on how research can be utilised in the community and how to implement findings to ensure sustainability of pharmacy practice research. Issues that community pharmacists would like to research are related to the current practice model, such as allocating time to provide patient-focused services in addition to managing a business.