Community Pharmacists' Attitudes and Practices toward Public Health in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists play an increasingly important role in public health delivery in Saudi Arabia, particularly in line with national reforms under Vision 2030. Although several regional studies have explored aspects of this role, there is limited national evidence assessing pharmacists' overall readiness and the factors that influence their engagement.

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia regarding public health services; identify key barriers affecting their involvement; and examine demographic and professional predictors associated with these domains.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and June 2025 across the five main regions of Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire assessed pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes (11 items), practices (9 items), and perceived barriers (8 items). Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 388 pharmacists participated. Knowledge and attitudes were generally strong, with more than half (55.2%) strongly supporting involvement in public health services. Actual practice was more variable, with basic screening activities such as blood glucose testing (47.6%) and blood pressure measurement (45.3%) reported most often. Key barriers included lack of training (mean 3.82) and limited funding (mean 3.69). Educational level, experience, and region showed significant differences across the KAP domains.

Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia demonstrate strong readiness to support public health initiatives, but their contribution is constrained by system-level and organizational barriers. Addressing training needs, strengthening institutional support, and aligning practice expectations with national reforms will be essential for expanding their public health role.