Good Practices and Challenges in the Collaboration of Pharmacists with General Practitioners—A Scoping Review

Optimizing medication management and improving patient health outcomes depend primarily on the strength of primary healthcare services, where collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists plays a critical role. This scoping review aimed to identify the main facilitators and barriers influencing pharmacist-GP collaboration. The review was conducted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies published in English between January 2019 and May 2025, of which twenty met the inclusion criteria. Key facilitators of collaboration included pharmacist co-location within GP practices, clearly defined professional responsibilities, access to shared electronic health records, and supportive government policies. Barriers most frequently reported were limited communication pathways, insufficient interprofessional training, and financial constraints. Overall, the findings suggest that effective pharmacist-GP collaboration relies on structural integration, professional trust, and policy initiatives that enable sustained cooperation. Long-term investment in collaborative infrastructure and workforce development will be essential to strengthen primary care, support patient outcomes, and ensure more efficient use of healthcare resources.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Pharmacy
Published
2026-02-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy14010024
Primary Topic
Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Good Practices and Challenges in the Collaboration of Pharmacists with General Practitioners—A Scoping Review

Kiril Atliev, Evelina Gavazova, Daniela Kafalova
Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
article

Good Practices and Challenges in the Collaboration of Pharmacists with General Practitioners—A Scoping Review

Kiril Atliev, Evelina Gavazova, Daniela Kafalova
article en

Abstract

Optimizing medication management and improving patient health outcomes depend primarily on the strength of primary healthcare services, where collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists plays a critical role. This scoping review aimed to identify the main facilitators and barriers influencing pharmacist-GP collaboration. The review was conducted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies published in English between January 2019 and May 2025, of which twenty met the inclusion criteria. Key facilitators of collaboration included pharmacist co-location within GP practices, clearly defined professional responsibilities, access to shared electronic health records, and supportive government policies. Barriers most frequently reported were limited communication pathways, insufficient interprofessional training, and financial constraints. Overall, the findings suggest that effective pharmacist-GP collaboration relies on structural integration, professional trust, and policy initiatives that enable sustained cooperation. Long-term investment in collaborative infrastructure and workforce development will be essential to strengthen primary care, support patient outcomes, and ensure more efficient use of healthcare resources.

PharmacyVol. 14(1)
Medical University Plovdiv (BG)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 70%
Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.