Exploring the roles and impacts of pharmacists embedded in general practice: a scoping review

Abstract Background The role of the general practice pharmacist (GPP) in Australia is not yet clearly defined, and their clinical expertise remains underutilised in general practice settings. This may be attributed to a limited understanding of pharmacists' capabilities, which can hinder optimal GPP utilisation. Aim This scoping review aimed to evaluate current roles of pharmacists in general practice settings globally, and examine the clinical and cost impacts of these roles. Design PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched for English language articles published from January 2020–April 2025. Studies assessing measurable outcomes, including both roles and impacts, were included. Screening and data extraction followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. Data was descriptively and thematically analysed. Results Of 972 articles, 21 met the inclusion criteria reporting on interventions completed in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Medication reviews were reported in all studies. Ten studies described specific interventional roles, such as antipsychotic monitoring and transitions of care. Key outcomes included: identification and resolution of medication‐related problems, medication interactions, and deprescribing opportunities. Clinically significant reductions in hospital readmissions were reported in several studies, and economic evaluations demonstrated potential cost savings. Conclusion GPPs improve medication safety and health system efficiency. Expanding pharmacist roles to include structured interventions and emerging functions such as prescribing and pathology testing may enhance their impact. Addressing funding models and clarifying role expectations will be critical to supporting broader integration in primary care.