Pharmacist Prescribing in Community Pharmacy: Support Is High, Implementation Barriers Persist

This mixed-methods synthesis of 78 studies identifies what stakeholders say determines whether community pharmacist prescribing is adopted and sustained, with direct relevance to outpatient pharmacists building or joining prescribing services.

📅 Journal publication: Dec 2026 (online Sep 19, 2026) · Last updated: Oct 23, 2026

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Background Information

Pharmacist prescribing in community pharmacies gains global attention but faces implementation challenges.

Pharmacist prescribing can enhance medication access and improve patient outcomes in community settings. Support exists for pharmacist prescribing in low-risk, protocol-driven conditions; key challenges include accountability and medico-legal concerns. The study identifies factors such as training and interprofessional collaboration necessary for successful pharmacist prescribing implementation. Successful pharmacist prescribing requires addressing training, collaboration, and policy support.

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Authors: Colthorpe A, Fleming A, McCarthy S, McManus E, Keating JJ, Dalton K

Citation: Colthorpe A, Fleming A, McCarthy S, et al. Stakeholders' views of the implementation of pharmacist prescribing in the community pharmacy setting: a mixed-methods systematic review. Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy. 2026;24:100846. doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2026.100846

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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Executive Summary

Study Design

Patient Population

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

Clinical Pearls

Limitations

Controversies & Evidence Gaps

Cost & Logistics

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