In recent years, many initiatives have been implemented to enhance primary health care (PHC), showcasing the important role pharmacists play in this area. However, progress towards achieving PHC and universal health coverage (UHC) varies across countries. Globally, significant advancements have been made in improving the accessibility, quality, and integration of services, leading to better health outcomes.
Technological innovations, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, have enhanced the efficiency and reach of primary care, enabling better coordination of care and more personalised patient management. Additionally, there has also been a growing emphasis on preventive care, health promotion, and the management of chronic conditions within the PHC framework, reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities. The shift towards a more holistic and patient-centred approach in PHC has also fostered greater collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that care is comprehensive and tailored to individual needs. These advancements are critical as health systems around the world aim to achieve UHC and equitable access to care for all.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), countries that actively monitor the progress of primary health care (PHC) are better positioned to build health systems that effectively meet the needs of their populations. Assessing PHC progress is therefore crucial for identifying gaps and addressing unmet needs, both locally and globally, from the perspective of pharmacy. To continuously strengthen PHC, FIP has developed a PHC self-assessment tool for its member organisations so that they can evaluate the status of primary health care in their country or jurisdiction. In the PHC self-assessment tool, there are 27 FIP PHC indicators, which reflect the progress towards achieving PHC goals.
Upon completion, respondents will receive a total score that shows their progress within the pharmacy context. By better knowing areas for improvement, pharmacy organisations can play a key role in encouraging policymakers to strengthen PHC. By advocating for policies that enhance the role of pharmacists in PHC, promoting the integration of pharmacy services into broader healthcare frameworks, and highlighting the positive impact of pharmacists on patient outcomes, these organisations can help drive meaningful reforms. Additionally, they can provide valuable insights to policymakers, demonstrating how strengthening PHC through pharmacy can lead to more efficient, accessible, and patient-centred health systems.
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References:
1. Primary Health Care. Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/primary-health-care/our-work. Accessed on 7 Oct 2024.
2. Renganathan E, Davies P. Sustainable Development Goals and the role of and implications for primary care physicians. Malays Fam Physician. 2023;18:54.
3. Chotchoungchatchai S, Marshall AI, Witthayapipopsakul W, Panichkriangkrai W, Patcharanarumol W, Tangcharoensathien V. Primary health care and sustainable development goals. Bull World Health Organ. 2020;98(11):792-800.
4. Primary health care measurement framework and indicators: monitoring health systems through a primary health care lens. Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
5. Rajan D, Rouleau K, Winkelmann J, Kringos D, Jakab M, Khalid F, editors. Implementing the Primary Health Care approach: a primer. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024 (Global report on primary health care). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO