Abstract
Background: Achieving universal health coverage demands optimal mobilisation of all healthcare
resources, including community pharmacists (CPs). This study aimed to explore the roles of community
pharmacies in Primary healthcare (PHC) service delivery and to identify barriers and facilitators to the
provision of these services.
Methods: The study was conducted among community pharmacists in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Phase 1
(quantitative phase) utilised a questionnaire that assessed CPs' levels of involvement, and the barriers
as well as facilitators to PHC service provision. In Phase 2, data collection was done through semistructured interviews. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for the
interview transcripts.
Results: Overall, 96 participants responded to the questionnaire; 66 [68.8%] were male and 27 [28.1%]
were superintendent pharmacists. Fifty-nine [61.5%] of respondents had less than five years of
experience in community pharmacy practice. The most common service provided by the CPs was
‘Assessment and treatment of common diseases' (4.48 ± 0.82), while the least was ‘COVID-19 vaccine
administration' (1.85 ± 1.20). Significant barriers to the provision of PHC services were ‘Lack of
integration of Community Pharmacies with PHC system' (3.74 ± 1.23) and ‘Lack of effective team
approach to patient care in Nigeria' (3.68 ± 1.24) while the major facilitator was that pharmacists are
already skilled and trained to manage certain PHC services (4.12 ± 1.11). Interview data identified
factors affecting the integration of CPs into the PHC framework, such as workforce, knowledge and
training, trust and built relationships, finance, accessibility, and infrastructure.
Conclusion: CPs emerged as vital contributors to healthcare, offering services in health promotion,
disease prevention, curative care, and patient education. Leveraging their expertise, accessibility, and
community trust, CPs can play a crucial role in enhancing PHC services and addressing community
healthcare needs.
Keywords: community pharmacy; healthcare; Kaduna State; PHC