Towards Effective Healthcare Delivery: An Assessment of Public Perception of Pharmacist’s Role in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists have a vital function in the healthcare system, acting as intermediaries between patients and the intricate realm of pharmaceutical administration. Pharmacists have a range of tasks that go beyond simply giving out prescriptions. These include providing guidance to patients, managing medication therapy, resolving issues related to drug therapy, and educating people about healthcare, which is known as pharmaceutical care. Aim: This study aims to assess the public perception of pharmacists' roles in healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect data from a representative sample of the Nigerian population. The collected data was coded into Microsoft Excel 2016 and subsequently analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the data, providing an overview of the demographic characteristics and key findings. Key Findings: The findings reveal that while a majority of respondents recognize the importance of pharmacists in healthcare, significant gaps in awareness and utilization were identified. Approximately 65% of participants expressed trust in pharmacists' professional advice, yet only 45% reported regularly consulting pharmacists for health-related issues. Conclusion and Implications: The study concludes that enhancing public awareness and trust in pharmacists could significantly improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The findings suggest the need for targeted educational campaigns and policy interventions to better integrate pharmacists into the healthcare system.