The Expanding Clinical Role of Pharmacists in Modern Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review of Patient-Centered Interventions

Abstract

The role of pharmacists has evolved significantly over the past decade, transitioning from traditional dispensing duties to advanced clinical practice across a wide range of healthcare settings. This comprehensive review examines the expanding contributions of pharmacists to patient-centered care, focusing on medication optimization, chronic disease management, public health interventions, antimicrobial stewardship, and multidisciplinary team collaboration. Evidence from recent studies demonstrates that pharmacist-led interventions are strongly associated with reduced medication errors, improved adherence, better therapeutic outcomes, and enhanced patient satisfaction. Furthermore, pharmacists play a crucial role in preventive care through vaccination services, health education, and early screening programs. The incorporation of digital health tools, including telepharmacy, electronic decision-support systems, and pharmacogenomics, has further strengthened pharmacists’ clinical impact. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in areas such as role recognition, regulatory limitations, and variability in scope of practice across countries. This review highlights the transformative shift in pharmacy practice, discusses enablers and barriers to expanded clinical roles, and provides recommendations for integrating pharmacists more effectively into patient-centered healthcare systems.