Implementation of the Health Reform's National Medication Policy: the perception of pharmacists

Abstract

Introduction: Health reform in Chile included a National Medication Policy that positioned pharmacists as contributors to achieving therapeutic goals, and as promoters of the rational use of medications. The objectiveof the research was to explore the perceptions of pharmacists with respect to the implementation of changes introduced by the National Medication Policy.

 Materials and Methods: A qualitative and exploratory study, based on individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with pharmacists in the Metropolitan health care network, was carried out during March- August of 2010. A convenience sample of 10 professionals was selected from different health care levels within the Metropolitan network. The analysis of the interviews was carried out using content analysis.

Results: For the interviewees, the National Medication Policy has given pharmacists and pharmacies an important role in different sectors of the health care network. Nevertheless, the principal difficulties in its implementation have been determined by the absence of different organizational and structural conditions in the institutions related to the implementation of the health reforms.

Discussion: The implementation of the National Medication Policy has improved some processes of pharmaceutical management. Nevertheless, the gaps between the design and implementation of health reform have hampered its implementation.