262 The role of community pharmacists with migration background in addressing healthcare needs of migrant population in Germany: a qualitative study

Abstract OP 14: Health Services 3, B302 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Background Migrants often face various barriers to their access to healthcare services. Community pharmacists play a crucial role in offering accessible, patient-centred healthcare services. However, little is known about the unique role of migrant pharmacists in addressing the healthcare needs of migrants. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the role of migrant pharmacists in providing access to healthcare for migrant populations in Germany. Methods This exploratory qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with Syrian migrant pharmacists working in Germany. Participants were recruited through contacts from the author’s professional network. All interviews were remotely conducted, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to ensure that findings are grounded in the original data. Results Ten Syrian migrant pharmacists were interviewed. The five themes identified in the study were: (1) Perceived roles of, and services provided by, migrant pharmacists, (2) Perceived reasons and advantages for seeking pharmacist care, (3) Challenges faced by migrant pharmacists in providing migrants access to healthcare, (4) Adaptive strategies to overcome the challenges, and (5) Strengthening the role of migrant pharmacists in providing care for migrants. Conclusions This study explored the role of migrant pharmacists, particularly those from Syria, in addressing the healthcare needs of migrants in Germany. The research highlighted the multifaceted nature of the pharmacists’ roles, which extend beyond dispensing medicines, bridging gaps in healthcare access through culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services. The study also shed light on the adaptive strategies and recommendations for strengthening the role of migrant pharmacists.