Community Pharmacists in Global Pandemic Preparedness and Response: A Literature Review
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This systematic literature review aims to evaluate the professional role of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on public health support and healthcare system sustainability. The study is based on an analysis of 65 international scientific sources published between 2019 and 2025, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the issue. The findings indicate that involvement in vaccination campaigns, ensuring provision of uninterrupted access to medicines, remote and in-person patient counseling, and continuous professional development serve as key determinants of pharmacists' readiness in crisis management. Nevertheless, the study reveals that in many countries, the full realization of pharmacists' potential is constrained by structural, legislative, and systemic barriers. Specifically, challenges emerged regarding digital infrastructure, the development of telepharmacy, technological asymmetry, and personal data protection. The review resulted in the formulation of recommendations for health policy-makers aimed at improving access to health services, health system effectiveness, and resilience in the context of both current and future global health crises.
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