title: Perception of community pharmacists toward their current professional role in the healthcare system of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
abstract: The new paradigm to pharmacy profession has changed the focus of pharmacists from product-centered to patient-oriented. This change has brought new set of beliefs and assumptions on the way services should be delivered to pharmacy clients. The main aim of this study was to explore the perception of community pharmacists on their current professional role in Dubai. Key findings show that community pharmacists are more directed toward business than patients. They almost dispense all categories of medicines over-the-counter without the need of prescriptions. However, a new trend of pharmacists in Dubai is to provide enhanced pharmacy services such as consultation to patients upon request.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ibrahim Khalid
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Rayes
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Azmi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassali
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaco-therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Abduelmula R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Abduelkarem
keywords: Community pharmacy; Dubai; Perception; Pharmacist; Pharmacy practice; Professional role