PHARMACIST’S ROLE IN PRIMARY CARE PHARMACY WITHIN BASIC HEALTH UNITS: STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING THE RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINES

Abstract

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the main gateway to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and is essential for the promotion, prevention, and monitoring of population health conditions. In this context, the presence of pharmacists in Basic Health Units (BHUs) is fundamental to ensure safe access to medications and to promote their rational use. The aim of this study was, based on scientific literature, to analyze the role of pharmacists in primary care pharmacies and the actions they undertake to promote the rational use of medicines. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study conducted through a literature review in the databases BVS, PubMed, and SciELO, considering the most recent publications on the topic The results show that pharmacists are not limited to medication dispensing but also actively participate in clinical and educational activities, including patient counseling, identification of drug interactions, prevention of adverse drug reactions, and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up. Furthermore, collaboration with the multidisciplinary team enhances patient safety and reduces medication errors. The adoption of strategies such as health education, pharmacotherapy review, and implementation of clinical protocols has demonstrated positive outcomes in treatment adherence and quality of care. However, challenges such as lack of infrastructure, work overload, and shortage of professionals still hinder the expansion of these clinical practices. Therefore, the pharmacist is a strategic agent in promoting the rational use of medicines and improving the quality of health services, making it essential to strengthen their role in Primary Health Care.