Volume :

2

Issue :

3

Abstract :

Introduction Drug-related problems are frequent and may result in reduced quality of life, and even morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that clinical pharmacists can identify and prevent drug-related problems. Although the physicians in Pakistan like some underdeveloped countries seem to have an opposing view to the expanded role of clinical pharmacists. Method A survey was conducted in which assessed physician’s interaction, experience and expectations from a pharmacist especially in a patient-oriented role. Results The findings reveal limited interactions; those limited interactions included inquiring information about particular drug availability only. About 80 to 90% of physicians have high expectations of pharmacists indicating that they should be solely responsible for any medication related query and should be equipped with extensive knowledge to tackle drug related problems effectively, however a higher % seem to disagree on allowing a clinical pharmacist’s intervention within a patient profile, the physicians with less than 10 years experience disagree on allowing them to be involved on the level of consultation regarding drug regimens or other and work side by side with them as core members of healthcare team. Conclusion These mixed reviews indicate the lack of comfort of physicians in a clinical setting. There is increasing evidence that participation and interventions of clinical pharmacists in health care positively influence clinical practice yet the state of non recognition of clinical role of pharmacists in Pakistan still needs to be addressed in order to win over physician confidence and comfort and can lead to better outcomes of patient’s health and consequently improvement in the health care system of the country.