Analysis of the Pharmacist's Role in Medication Management at Selected Community Health Centers in the Bandung Area

Backgrounds: Pharmacists play a crucial role in Community Health Centers as the frontline of primary healthcare by delivering pharmaceutical services, including medication management, to ensure the availability, quality, and appropriate use of medicines in accordance with prevailing regulations. While various studies have examined the compliance of medication management practices in these centers, research measuring the extent of pharmacist involvement in medication management and its impact remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the role of pharmacists in medication management across four Community Health Centers in the Bandung area (covering both the city and the regency) using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Methods: This observational study employed a cross-sectional design with a mixed-methods approach and was conducted between January and March 2026. Data were collected using self-assessment and peer-assessment instruments, as well as semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. Results: Pharmacist involvement across all stages of medication management ranges from 70% to 92%. The highest levels of involvement are observed in the receiving, storage, and human resource management stages (92%), while the lowest is in the distribution stage (70%); the average involvement score is 2.6 (categorized as "Active" to "Dominant"). Interview results corroborate the quantitative findings, indicating that variations in pharmacist involvement were closely linked to coordination among healthcare professionals, task allocation, and operational mechanisms within each Community Health Center. Conclusion: Pharmacists played an active to dominant role across all stages of medication management in the Bandung area Community Health Centers; involvement was highest in receiving, storage, and human resource management, whereas distribution remains an area requiring further strengthening.