Home⇛Science Asia Review⇛vol. 13 no. 1 (2026)

A Review On The Roles And Challenges Of Pharmacists In The Universal Health Care: An Asian Perspective

Fatimae Ituralde Mariano | Erwin Martinez Faller

Discipline: Pharmacy

 

Abstract:

Universal Health Coverage (UHC), defined by the World Health Organization as ensuring that all individuals receive quality health services without financial hardship, remains a key global health priority. Achieving UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals requires a skilled and capable health workforce, including pharmacists who serve as among the most accessible healthcare professionals in primary healthcare settings. This review aimed to examine the roles and challenges of pharmacists in Asian countries with UHC coverage rates of at least 75% to 80%. A review of published studies was conducted using relevant literature from Asian countries with established UHC systems. Studies focusing on pharmacists’ contributions to primary healthcare and the barriers encountered in service delivery were retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed. Findings revealed that pharmacists in UHC settings have expanded their professional roles beyond traditional dispensing functions. Pharmacists actively collaborate with physicians in prescribing and chronic disease management, conduct home visits, manage minor ailments, monitor patients’ health status, and provide initial diagnosis, consultations, and patient follow-ups. Despite these expanded roles, several challenges persist, including limited collaboration with physicians due to communication barriers, inadequate incentive systems, difficulty in accessing and managing patient clinical information, and an insufficiently trained pharmacy workforce to meet increasing patient demands. The review concludes that pharmacists play a significant role in strengthening primary healthcare and supporting the achievement of UHC and Sustainable Development Goals in Asian countries. Strengthening interprofessional collaboration, improving health information systems, developing appropriate compensation mechanisms, and enhancing pharmacy workforce training are recommended to optimize pharmacists’ contributions to universal healthcare delivery



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