Perspectives of refugees and community pharmacists on refugees’ healthcare situation in Lebanon: Implication on pharmacy education and workforce

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists serve on the frontline of healthcare provision for refugees. This study aimed to explore (1) Syrian refugees’ healthcare status from the perspectives of the refugees and Lebanese community pharmacists; (2) refugees’ barriers to healthcare access; and (3) the challenges pharmacists encounter in the provision of healthcare.   Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during July-August 2019 in Bekaa Region. Syrian refugees and Lebanese community pharmacists anonymously completed two different questionnaires. SPSS Statistics Version 22.0 was used to analyse the data.   Results: A total of 671 refugees and 103 pharmacists responded to the questionnaires. The responding refugees and pharmacists identified the inability to afford physician and drug fees as the primary and secondary barriers to healthcare access for refugees; while health illiteracy was the primary challenge identified by the responding pharmacists when providing care to refugees.     Conclusion: Addressing the determinants of health will reduce healthcare barriers and challenges substantially, thus fostering overall improvements in the health of Syrian refugees.