Najia Rahim, Shagufta Usmani
Background: In under developed countries like Pakistan, professional relationships between the physicians and pharmacists need to be strong for the interest of profession and patient care. The present study is aimed at analyzing the physicians’ opinion about the role of pharmacists in the health care system of Pakistan.
Method: A survey was conducted from July’2009 to June’2010 in different hospitals and clinics of Karachi including public and private sector. A 12-item questionnaire was supplied to the physicians. Descriptive statistics on the questionnaire items including means, standard deviation were determined. The influence of age, gender and experience of the respondents on their opinion about pharmacist’s expanded role was determined by One way ANOVA.
Results: Most of the respondents were in favor of the extended role of pharmacist in the health care system. There is no significant influence of age, gender and experience on the positive opinion of physicians about pharmacist.
Conclusion: In the interest of the patients, the Government and professional bodies like Pakistan Pharmacy Council should work together in building the involvement and mutual respect for each professional to strengthen the objectives and functioning of the health care team. A nationwide survey including all health care centers would provide further evidence.
