A qualitative study exploring the role of pharmacists in addressing the needs of ethnic minority populations with common mental health conditions in UK primary care settings

Abstract Introduction Approximately 1 in 4 adults in England experiences a mental health (MH) condition each year, [1] posing a significant burden to individuals, healthcare organisations, and wider society.[1] Treatment engagement is lower among ethnic minorities, and they are prone to poorer outcomes. Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting individuals with their medicines; however, a study undertaken in secondary care revealed that pharmacists faced barriers to the provision of patient care, including stigma, a lack of time, and training gaps.[2] The management of MH conditions is most frequently undertaken in primary care, yet little is known regarding the role pharmacists play in this setting supporting ethnic minority patients with MH conditions and the challenges they face in practice. Aim This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of primary care pharmacists working in general practices and community pharmacies addressing the MH needs of ethnic minority patients. Methods An interview study with primary care pharmacists on Microsoft Teams® was conducted during August–September 2025. Participants were recruitment conveniently utilising social media and professional networks. A semi-structured interview schedule containing eight questions exploring pharmacists’ roles, perceptions, and recommendations was prepared and piloted for suitability with an MH pharmacist. Age, gender identity, ethnicity, education, years of experience, workplace settings, and regions were also recorded. Teams® prepared a transcript, which was cleaned, anonymised and analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s approach. Results Eighteen participants varying in ethnicity, experience, and practice setting were interviewed. Three themes were identified: 1) roles and responsibilities; pharmacists routinely manage medication, perform reviews, counselling, signposting, manage secondary care requests, participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings, and Quality and Outcomes Framework. Regarding satisfaction, participants seemed satisfied with helping people with MH conditions. 2) Challenges and barriers; stigma associated with MH that includes societal and anticipated stigma, fear of judgment, and denial on the patient’s part. Also, poor health/tech-literacy, language competence, treatment adherence, and long wait times were reported as challenges. Additionally, staff shortages, a lack of exposure and training in culturally competent MH care exist for pharmacists: ‘Culture and language, it could be a barrier.’ (P2) 3) Recommendations; training, exposure, and awareness of cross-cultural MH support, integration of MH specialist pharmacists in primary care, and improving accessibility: ‘Maybe if we had a little bit more training.’ (P7). Conclusion This is the first study exploring the role of primary care pharmacists in addressing the MH needs of ethnic minority patients. Pharmacists play an important role in supporting the MH needs of all populations. However, barriers such as stigma, language, interpersonal and cultural challenges, together with staff shortages and lack of staff diversity, hinder effective MH care for this population. Pharmacists seem less confident in practice owing to a lack of exposure and training in culturally competent MH care. Future work should focus on interventions to support pharmacists to deliver culturally competent MH support, support pharmacy curriculum, as well as initiatives to reduce stigma surrounding MH conditions. Limitations include self-selection bias due to the sampling approach and social desirability bias.