Community pharmacy practice based research

Abstract

Community pharmacy practice research serves as a cornerstone in the evolution of pharmaceutical care, bridging the gap between healthcare policy and patient-centred services. This study presents a review and analysis of practice-based research conducted at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta, spanning an eleven-year period from 2013 to 2024. The investigation based on the projects conducted at the department specifically focuses on projects that explore the expanding role of community pharmacists, the implementation of innovative clinical services, and the challenges and the limitations. Through an analysis of 427 total research projects, 85 (19.9%) studies were identified as directly relevant to community pharmacy practice, forming the basis of this review. The reviewed projects were categorized into six key research domains: clinical services (n=46; 54.2%), chronic disease management (n=9;10.6%), regulatory frameworks (n=14;16.5%), medication accessibility (n=7;8.2%), technology and innovation (n=8; 9.4%, and green pharmacy practices(n=1;1.1%). Studies on clinical services highlight the expanding role in care, diagnostics and education to improves outcomes of community pharmacies. Chronic disease management projects emphasize pharmacist led monitoring, patient education and therapy optimization Regulatory framework studies primarily addressed medication safety protocols, quality assurance frameworks, and legal compliance within Malta’s community pharmacy sector. Meanwhile, studies on medication accessibility revealed critical insights into drug pricing disparities, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the socioeconomic barriers affecting patient adherence, calling for policy interventions to improve affordability and availability of essential medicines. Projects regarding technology and innovation focusing on digital tools, medical devices, and interactive resources to improve patient care and access to reliable drug information. Green pharmacy practices focus on environmental-friendly methods in medication use, disposal, and pharmacy operation. By synthesizing these insights, this study provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to further strengthen the integration of community pharmacies into primary healthcare systems.