Role of community pharmacists in patients' self-care and self-medication

Abstract

Paul RutterSchool of Pharmacy, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UKAbstract: This review highlights the growing prominence of self-care and explores the contribution of community pharmacy. Firstly, background to self-care is discussed, followed by placing self-care in context with regard to the general public and accessing community pharmacy. From this perspective the contribution community pharmacy currently makes is assessed, paying particular attention to the factors that negatively impact on the ability of community pharmacy to facilitate self-care.Keywords: community pharmacy, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, health belief

Keywords

• self-medication self-care community pharmacy