The Role of Pharmacists in Disaster Management: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of Saudi Pharmacists during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Saudi Arabia is prone to various public health emergencies, necessitating that all healthcare personnel, including pharmacists, be prepared to contribute to disaster management. Although pharmacists are vital in such scenarios, their role in Saudi Arabia remains unexplored. This study aimed to examine the role of Saudi pharmacists across the four phases of public health emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR).

A qualitative exploratory design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nine pharmacists for semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Four major themes corresponding to the PPRR phases, along with 20 sub-themes (five per phase), were identified. Participants generally perceived that pharmacists had a limited role, particularly in the preparedness and response phases.

Pharmacists possess key competencies for disaster management, particularly in logistics, counseling, and support for chronic diseases. However, administrative, cultural, and systemic barriers often hinder their active involvement. There is an urgent need to redefine pharmacists’ roles and integrate them meaningfully into national disaster preparedness frameworks.

Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia are both capable and willing to assume expanded roles in disaster management, particularly during the response and recovery phases. Policymakers should formally incorporate pharmacists into disaster planning, provide targeted training, and address limiting perceptions. Enhancing the pharmacist’s role will strengthen the resilience of health systems during public health emergencies.