Perceptions, Opportunities, and Potential Barriers for Clinical Pharmacy Practice at University Teaching Hospitals in Zambia

Pharmacy practice in Zambia has traditionally consisted of primarily dispensing responsibilities, yet integration of pharmacists into medical teams has been shown to improve patient outcomes by reducing readmission rates, reducing emergency visits, and improving medication utilization and subsequent costs. As countries continue to demonstrate the benefit of clinical pharmacists on patient care and health outcomes, more institutions are looking to expand the role of the pharmacist. Physicians and nurses are key stakeholders who will be critical to securing support for the development of new pharmacy roles and responsibilities. This study will evaluate attitudes, perceptions, and expectations of pharmacists among physicians and nurses to identify potential areas of opportunity and barriers for clinical pharmacy practice in Zambia.