THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-LEVEL HEALTH PROMOTION STRATEGIES: AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction. Modern transformations of healthcare systems are characterized by an increasing role of preventive measures and the need to promote health-preserving behaviors among the population. In this context, the involvement of the pharmaceutical sector as an accessible, socially oriented component of the public health system is particularly important. The purpose of the study. To determine the role of the pharmaceutical sector in implementing health promotion strategies at the community level and to outline the main directions for utilizing its potential. Materials and methods. The study has a review-analytical design. Bibliographic, information-analytical, content-analytical, and theoretical generalization methods were applied to systematize current scientific evidence and develop a conceptual framework. Results and discussion. It was established that community pharmacies, due to their high accessibility, public trust, and frequent contact with the population, represent an effective setting for implementing health promotion activities. The main areas of pharmaceutical sector involvement include counseling, screening, educational activities, behavioral interventions, and participation in vaccination. It was determined that the pharmaceutical sector’s engagement in health promotion primarily occurs through medical, educational, and behavioral approaches. These interventions contribute to increased awareness, behavioral change, and improved coverage of preventive services. Based on the synthesis of findings and contemporary scientific approaches, a conceptual framework was developed to systematize the role of the pharmaceutical sector in health promotion and illustrate the relationships among inputs, interventions, mechanisms of influence, and expected outcomes. Conclusions. The pharmaceutical sector has significant potential in implementing community-level health promotion strategies. Its effective utilization requires improvements in regulatory frameworks, the expansion of pharmacists’ professional roles, strengthening interprofessional collaboration, and the integration of pharmacies into the public health system.