Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: Systematic Review

Abstract

Birbirsa Sefera

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health challenge, and the world is more vulnerable to the adverse health impacts of antimicrobial resistance. Healthcare workers, including pharmacists, can play a key role in reducing antimicrobial resistance. There is little study done on the role of clinical pharmacy in reducing antimicrobial resistance, particularly in Ethiopia.

Objective: The aim of this review is to investigate the role of clinical pharmacists in reducing antimicrobial resistance.

Method: The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published between 1999 and 2019 that involved studies on the role of clinical pharmacists and the expanded services of clinical pharmacists in the healthcare system and their contributions to antimicrobial use. PRISMA-2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used to conduct this review.

Results: Studies from different countries have demonstrated that the roles of clinical pharmacists in health care teams result in overall improved clinical and economic outcomes.

Conclusions: This review highlights that integration of clinical pharmacist services into healthcare systems will assist in reducing the growth of catastrophic antimicrobial resistance.

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