Are Pharmacists Really a Pillar of the Healthcare System?
Saqib Hussain (sqb559@gmail.com)
The healthcare system of any country stands on three fundamental pillars: doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Doctors diagnose diseases and prescribe treatment, nurses provide essential patient care and monitoring, while pharmacists ensure the safe, effective, and rational use of medicines. In modern healthcare systems around the world, pharmacists play a crucial role in patient safety, medication management, and therapeutic guidance. However, in Pakistan, the status of pharmacists in the healthcare structure remains deeply concerning. While the profession is recognized academically and internationally as an essential component of healthcare, in practice pharmacists continue to be ignored by both the public and private sectors.
This situation raises a serious question: if pharmacists are truly one of the pillars of healthcare, why are they absent from major healthcare planning and recruitment policies? Every year thousands of students graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) degree after completing five years of professional education. They study pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, and many other specialized subjects related to medicines and patient safety. Despite this extensive training, when these graduates enter the professional field they face a harsh reality — the absence of structured opportunities and regular recruitment in the healthcare system.
The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clearly reflects this neglect. In October 2025, the provincial cabinet approved the first-ever Pharmacy Services Policy after continuous struggle and advocacy by the Young Pharmacists Community Pakistan. The approval of this policy created hope among pharmacists that their role would finally be recognized and that hospitals would start integrating pharmacy services into the healthcare structure. However, nearly five to six months have passed since the policy’s approval, yet there is still no visible implementation. Policies alone cannot improve healthcare; meaningful change only comes when policies are implemented in practice.
Recently, around 2400 Summary of New Expenditure (SNE) posts were reportedly sent to the Finance Department for recruitment in the health sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These posts included positions for doctors, paramedics, and nurses. While strengthening these sectors is undoubtedly important, it is extremely unfortunate that not even a single seat was allocated for pharmacists. This decision raises serious concerns about the understanding of healthcare planning in the province. Medicines are a central part of treatment, and pharmacists are the professionals trained specifically to manage and monitor medication therapy. Ignoring pharmacists in hospital staffing structures creates gaps in medication safety, drug management, and rational therapy.
Around the world, pharmacists are actively involved in hospitals as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams. They work alongside doctors and nurses to prevent medication errors, manage drug interactions, optimize treatment plans, and educate patients about the safe use of medicines. Their presence significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces healthcare risks. Without pharmacists, hospitals essentially operate without specialized oversight of medication management, which can compromise patient safety.
The continuous neglect of pharmacists is not only an employment issue; it is a healthcare quality issue. Thousands of highly qualified pharmacy graduates are entering the job market every year, yet the system offers them little to no opportunities to serve within the healthcare framework. This not only wastes professional talent but also weakens the healthcare system itself.
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must now move beyond policy announcements and ensure the immediate implementation of the Pharmacy Services Policy. Hospitals and healthcare institutions must include pharmacists as an essential part of their workforce. If the healthcare system truly stands on three pillars — doctors, nurses, and pharmacists — then all three must be equally recognized and integrated.
Ignoring one pillar weakens the entire structure. And a healthcare system that overlooks the professionals responsible for medicine safety is ultimately putting patient care at risk.
