Adaptations in the role of pharmacists under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists actively engage in managing the health of local residents, but the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated rapid adaptations in practice activities. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify the specific adaptations in practice and the expanded roles of community pharmacists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of published studies reporting the tasks of pharmacists in community pharmacies or who were involved in pharmacy practices addressing the pandemic. Two investigators independently searched PubMed (December 2019–January 2022) for eligible articles. We conducted a meta-analysis to measure the frequencies of practical activities by pharmacists in response to COVID-19. RESULTS: We identified 30 eligible studies. Meta-analysis of these studies found that the most commonly reported adaptation in pharmacist practice activities was modifying hygiene behaviors, including regular cleaning and disinfection (81.89%), followed by maintaining social distance from staff and clients (76.37%). Educating clients on COVID-19 was reported by 22 studies (72.54%). Telemedicine and home delivery services were provided to clients by 49.03 and 41.98% of pharmacists, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The roles of community pharmacists in public health activities have adapted and expanded in response to COVID-19, notably by incorporating public health education activities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-023-09071-w.