Health sector reform implementation: The Pharmacists’ perceptions

Abstract

Aim: Analyze the perception of the Pharmacists in relation to the implementation of the changes in the pharmaceutical management. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study was conducted on the basis of semi-structured in depth interviews to 13 Pharmacists from the public health care network from the Region de los Ríos. The information was analyzed through content analysis. Results: For the interviewee, the health reform introduced improvements in the pharmaceutical management through better quality of the processes and by focusing the attention on the user. Nevertheless, the absence of policies and strategies in human resources has been highlighted as one of the main obstacles to implement the changes of the reform as well as the specific ones with respect to the pharmaceutical management. Conclusions: The health sector reform has improved pharmaceutical management. However it is necessary to strengthen the implementation.