Prescribing Pharmacist Worldwide: Models and Evidence for Implementation in Primary Care Settings.

Details

Supervisors

Kempen,Thomas

Faculty

Faculté de pharmacie et des sciences biomédicales

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences pharmaceutiques, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enHealthcare systems are under increasing pressure due to physician shortages, population ageing, and rising demand for care. These challenges have led policymakers to reconsider how healthcare services are organised and how existing professionals can be better utilised. Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals and are often the first point of contact for patients, a role that became particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic accelerated the expansion of pharmacist prescribing in some regions, several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, had already introduced this practice earlier. This master’s thesis aims to identify and classify pharmacist prescribing models worldwide and to examine the evidence supporting their implementation in primary care settings. The findings show that pharmacist prescribing can be divided into two main models: independent and dependent prescribing. Independent prescribing involves autonomous diagnostic authority within a defined scope of practice while combining the pharmacist’s clinical judgment, whereas dependent prescribing includes arrangements such as protocol-based prescribing, prescription renewal, and collaborative practice. Overall, the results suggest that pharmacist prescribing can be safely and effectively integrated into primary care when supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks, training, and interprofessional collaboration.