Community Pharmacy Users’ Characteristics, Reasons for Visit to the Pharmacy and Perceptions of the Role of Community Pharmacists in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Community pharmacists need information about their customers’ needs,opinions and perceptions of themselves and their services, in order to servethem better. This study investigated the customers’ perceptions ofcommunity pharmacies and pharmacists in Harare, Zimbabwe. Forty threepercent of the customers visited the pharmacy less than once a month. Themajority of respondents (91 %) visited the pharmacy to purchase medicinesrecommended by their doctor. Most of the respondents (61.2 %) were notloyal to any particular pharmacy. The choice of a particular pharmacy bythe respondents was mainly influenced by convenience (62.9 %). Manyrespondents did not have adequate knowledge of all the major roles of thepharmacist. Respondents generally held positive views and opinions ofcommunity pharmacies and community pharmacists.