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As human space exploration extends beyond low Earth orbit, the demand for comprehensive medical and pharmaceutical support is increasing. The extreme conditions of space significantly alter drug stability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Although the role of clinical pharmacists in space missions has not been extensively studied, this review aims to analyze existing literature to identify their contributions and potential applications in space pharmacy. A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Relevant literature published up to December 7, 2024, was retrieved from PubMed using predefined search terms related to clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, space medicine, and microgravity. Articles discussing pharmaceutical challenges in space and the potential contributions of clinical pharmacists were included. Data was extracted and thematically analyzed. A total of 26 studies were reviewed. Clinical pharmacists play critical roles in three main domains: (1) medication management and supply, including drug stability and quality control, selection and inventory management of essential medicines, and on-site manufacturing; (2) clinical pharmacy services, such as pharmacotherapy optimization under altered physiological conditions, therapeutic drug monitoring, adverse event and drug interaction surveillance, and education and counseling for astronauts; and (3) research and development, encompassing the design of space-specific clinical trials and innovation in drug delivery systems. The complexity of space environments demands new professional competencies from clinical pharmacists. This review demonstrates that clinical pharmacists play essential roles in space missions. Future research should focus on refining space-specific pharmaceutical guidelines and enhancing training programs to ensure the safe and effective use of medications in extraterrestrial settings.

The Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act currently restrict pharmacists in South Korea to vaccine storage, distribution and counseling roles, which were limiting the opportunity to meet surging demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the inaugural Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program was initiated in July 2023 in South Korea, marking a significant step for equipping pharmacists as vaccinators once national regulations evolve. Globally, pharmacy communities have confronted numerous challenges, including regulatory restrictions, professional conflicts, competency gaps, and low public trust and awareness. Nevertheless, evidence shows pharmacy-based vaccination programs significantly improved immunization rates, prevented infectious diseases, reduced vaccine hesitancy, and minimized post-immunization adverse reactions. According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s 2024 report, 56 of 120 surveyed countries now offer pharmacy-based vaccination services, 44 grant pharmacists direct vaccine-administration rights, and 26 authorize pharmacist prescribing privileges. Learning from these international precedents, this review proposes a coordinated, stepwise strategy for South Korea. Key recommendations include that pharmacy bodies and stakeholders should establish a multi-stakeholder forum to unite government agencies, medical associations, and legislators on shared policy objectives, while engaging the public to build awareness and trust. In addition, pharmacy professions should adopt a phased authorization approach, initiating with pilot program implementation, followed by rigorous evaluation and legislative endorsement, which enable pharmacists to demonstrate that the expanded scope of practice can safely and effectively improve national immunization efforts.

Background: Despite the increasing competition caused by the rapid growth in the number of pharmacies in the Republic of Korea, research on factors influencing pharmacy sales is limited. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the financial performance of chain-affiliated versus independent pharmacies, with a focus on average transaction values. Methods: Transaction data from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, were analyzed, excluding prescription drug sales. The focus was on over-the-counter medications, health supplements, and quasi-drugs. Results: The average transaction value at chain pharmacies was significantly higher, with an average of 14,596 KRW compared to 5,523 KRW at independent pharmacies. Within chain pharmacies, a higher proportion of pharmacies where pharmacists had completed a three-year training program was observed in the group with higher average transaction values (60.34% vs. 41.38%, p = 0.0411). Pharmacies that underwent interior renovations in accordance with franchise guidelines experienced a 1.27-fold increase in transaction values within 3 to 6 months, which was sustained at 1.41 times for up to 48 months. Conclusion: Chain-affiliated pharmacies demonstrated higher average transaction values compared to independent pharmacies. Additionally, pharmacist training and interior renovations significantly contribute to increased transaction values, suggesting that investing in these areas can enhance financial performance. Further research with broader data and additional metrics is recommended to deepen the understanding of factors influencing pharmacy sales.

Background: Despite the increasing prevalence of rare diseases and growing medical expenses, community pharmacists’ role in rare disease management remains understudied in South Korea, even as the government emphasizes the importance of specialized healthcare professionals in rare disease management. Methods: An online survey was conducted among 75 community pharmacists in South Korea from May to June 2022. The survey assessed pharmacists’ awareness of rare diseases, current practices related to rare disease management, and perceived roles of community pharmacies in rare disease care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: While most pharmacists (98.67%) were familiar with the term “rare disease”, only 33.33% accurately understood its legal definition. One-third (33.33%) of respondents had experience with rare disease patients, with an average of 7 patients per pharmacy. The main services provided were medication counseling (44.00%) and health supplement advice (28.00%). Pharmacists identified high accessibility (61.33%) as their primary advantage but cited lack of specialized knowledge (48.00%) and limited patient contact (56.00%) as major challenges. The majority (74.67%) expressed interest in rare diseases, with 40.00% suggesting specialized training as the most important factor for expanding pharmacists’ role. Conclusions: Although community pharmacists show strong interest and potential in rare disease management, their current involvement is limited by insufficient specialized knowledge and systematic support. Implementing professional education programs and establishing specialized pharmacy pilot projects could enhance pharmacists’ contribution to rare disease management, leveraging their accessibility and comprehensive healthcare capabilities.

Background: The prevalence of long-term prescriptions, often exceeding six months, has increased in recent years. This raises concerns about potential risks to patient safety due to insufficient monitoring of changes in patient conditions after initiating treatment. Objectives: This study investigates community pharmacists’ perceptions of long-term prescriptions exceeding 90 days, focusing on dispensing practices, perceived advantages and disadvantages, and strategies to minimize associated risks. Methods: After informing 735 pharmacists from a single pharmacy chain about the study’s purpose and content, an online survey was conducted among those who consented to participate. A total of 267 pharmacists responded between July 6 and July 13, 2024. Data were collected using a Google Forms questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results: 88.8% of pharmacists reported dispensing long-term prescriptions (≥90 days) daily, with 50-70% involving unit dose packing. Reduced patient visits and resulting cost saving were noted as benefits of long-term prescriptions. Concerns included risks such as decreased stability due to long-term storage, polypharmacy, reduced medication adherence, and drug waste. The main reasons for discarded medications were prescription changes (66.7%) and overlaps with other medications (26.2%). Conclusions: Long-term prescriptions can undermine the safety of drug use and lead to issues such as costs associated with drug disposal. Therefore, policy efforts are needed to address these concerns.

Background: With the increasing life expectancy in South Korea and growing public interest in health, individuals often turn to the internet for medical information. However, much of the information found online is unreliable, leading to misinformation and difficulty in discerning credible sources. This study addresses the need to improve health information literacy among non-pharmacy students through a clinical pharmacy-based general education course. Methods: A curriculum was developed by analyzing existing programs, conducting focus group interviews (FGI), and surveying students to identify their needs. The course, designed for non-pharmacy students, was implemented over one semester. The course utilized multimedia resources and interactive teaching methods to engage students. Results: The course effectively increased students’ understanding of health and medication-related issues. The course contents include the definition and classification of medication, contraception, medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, narcotics / controlled substances / alcohol / smoking / caffeine, obesity / obesity treatments, allergic diseases, acne / skin infections, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, hypertension / stroke, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases. Students reported high satisfaction with topics like contraception and mental health and demonstrated an improved ability to critically evaluate health information. The curriculum’s interactive approach and practical application contributed to a deeper understanding of key concepts and information literacy. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of developing clinical pharmacy-based general education courses for non-pharmacy students to enhance their ability to assess health information. The findings suggest that such courses can positively impact students’ knowledge and decision-making skills regarding health, offering a valuable educational model for addressing the challenges of misinformation in the digital age.