THE ROLE OF THE PHARMACIST-IN-CHARGE (PHARMACIST AS TECHNICAL RESPONSIBLE) IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICINES AND HEALTH PRODUCTS DURING PANDEMIC SCENARIOS: METHODOLOGY, RELEVANCE, AND SOCIAL IMPACT

This study analyzes the central role of the pharmacist serving as the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) — a position legally defined in Brazil as Responsável Técnico (RT), or “Technical Responsible” — in health governance and pharmaceutical logistics, especially in crisis contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a bibliographic, documentary, and regulatory review, it is evident that the presence of the RT is a legal requirement, reaffirmed by decisions of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) and by guidelines from the Federal Council of Pharmacy, making it an exclusive function of the pharmacist. The study shows that RT’s work goes beyond bureaucratic compliance, encompassing the implementation of quality management systems, development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical audits, supplier validation, and strategic planning, ensuring the traceability and integrity of health products. During the pandemic, their role was crucial in reorganizing inventories, creating contingency plans, and disseminating reliable scientific information, ensuring transparency, risk mitigation, and reduced shortages. From a social perspective, the RT contributed to equity in access to medicines, the protection of healthcare professionals, and the optimization of public resources, reinforcing their role as an agent of collective protection. The article also highlights persistent challenges, such as regional logistical inequalities and regulatory instability, while projecting future perspectives based on technological innovation, continuous training, and the strengthening of public policies. It concludes that the pharmacist RT — or PIC in international terms — should be recognized not merely as a technical inspector, but as a risk manager and a key factor in health security, whose strategic role is essential for the sustainability of supply chains and for the resilience of Brazil’s healthcare system both in emergency situations and in routine care.