Role of pharmacists in disaster management: a qualitative study exploring the experience of Saudi pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic

Background Saudi Arabia is prone to different types of public health emergencies, and all health personnel should be ready and prepared to contribute to disaster management. Although pharmacists are essential personnel in disaster management, but their role still have not been well studied in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the role of Saudi pharmacists within each of the public health emergency phases; prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR). Methods A qualitative exploratory method was employed where a purposive sampling was used to recruit pharmacists from different areas in Saudi Arabia to participate in semi-structured interviews. A total of 9 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Each interview was recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Results Four major themes: (1) Prevention, (2) Preparedness, (3) Response, (4) Recovery; and 20 sub-themes (five sub-themes in each major theme) were identified. Participants felt that there was a limited role for pharmacists in many aspects, especially those under preparedness and response. Conclusion This study highlighted how pharmacists perceive their roles in disaster management. Findings of this study could help policy makers to better understand pharmacists’ perceptions on their readiness and acceptance for wider role in disaster management.