Abstract
Pharmacist prescribing advances in the world with different countries regulating this activity. In Brazil, this regulation took place in 2013, but there is little information about its insertion in the routine of pharmacist practice. This study aimed to analyze the pharmacist prescribing in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo state, Brazil, and the factors that influence adherence to the practice. This is a qualitative study based on interviews with 20 pharmacists and 10 managers of public and private community drugstores with subsequent content analysis to apprehend perceptions and opinions. The pharmacists in this research did not prescribe. Pharmacists and managers identified facilitators for the implementation of the activity, highlighting the following factors: infrastructure; easy access to the pharmacist; and good receptivity to the prescription. As barriers, the factors were insufficient number of human resources; lack of institutional stimulus to prescribing; and individual factors. In addition to the observation of non-execution of pharmacist prescribing, this study provided an opportunity to identify elements that may contribute to the non-existence of this activity in community drugstores. Adapting routines or hiring staff were the main necessary changes. At the same time, actions aimed at qualifying training through permanent education are also necessary.
Keywords:
Pharmaceutical Services; Professional practice; Pharmacists; Medical prescriptions