27
Jan

Drug stores increasingly function as primary care points in many settings, offering services such consultations for minor ailments, medication management, and health screenings to improve accessibility and reduce strain on traditional doctor's offices. From reviews, this integration offers a more cost-effective and accessible healthcare system, though it requires well-trained pharmacists and supportive policies to fully realize its potential.

The extent of this concept is exampled by the Thai government-backed programs partner pharmacies to provide free care for common illnesses to ensure beneficiaries of national health schemes can get timely treatment without needing to see a doctor first. The concept of a "pharmacist primary care clinic" is emerging globally, transforming pharmacies into accessible health hubs with trained pharmacists providing diagnosis, treatment for common issues, and personalized care.

It is, however, required conclusive evidence to gain understanding that pharmacies can significantly strengthen primary care by acting as accessible first points of contact to address the global demographic transitions and health equity challenges.