1.Introduction
Social Pharmacy: a definition
Everyone gives a different meaning to health. A biomedical approach defines health when an
individual has no disease. WHO states (1948): “health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
This is an overall approach (focusing on a whole system) to health.
It’s not only the absence of disease or illness.
There is an importance of well-being.
The definition of health is evolving in time.
Social pharmacy is the interdisciplinary field that studies the social, behavioral and financial aspects
of medicine use within a society. It analyses the role of pharmacists/pharmaceutical scientist in how
they can help communities to stay healthy and avoid illness.
Comprehending these factors enables pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to carry out
focused interventions.
Social determinants of health: theoretical foundations of social pharmacy
There are different factors that have an influence on the health of a person in different communities.
1. Social and cultural factors:
Traditional medicine: herbal remedies, spiritual therapies
Use of alcohol and tobacco
Compliance
Accepting of rejecting medical treatment, including prescribed drugs
In addition, there are also racial and ethnic disparities and social stigmas like HIV and mental health.
A social stigma means a negative label or judgment placed on a person or group because of
something that society sees as different or unacceptable. This can really influence an individual.
2. Economic factors:
Individual level
o Employment status
o Income level (affects if a person will do the treatment or not)
o Job position
o Socio-economic status
National level
o High vs low-income countries (survival rate is higher in high income countries).
o Urban vs less developed areas (you can see differences in health).
3. Environmental factors
Health and the need for pharmaceutical services are impacted by the physical environment
(air pollution increases respiratory disorders, climate change increases natural catastrophes
that disrupt healthcare services and availability to pharmaceuticals, clean water, etc.).
Environment and infrastructure also have an impact on availability of healthcare and
pharmaceutical service.
1
, Also, with healthcare, pharmaceutical industry and medication, we can affect the
environment with carbon emission and waste production.
Ex. Diclofenac gel that goes into the groundwater while showering.
Ex. Transportation of medication around the world.
Health behavior models: theoretical foundations of social pharmacy
This are frameworks for comprehending and influencing patient behaviors related to medication
adherence, lifestyle changes and health promotion. This is commonly used in social pharmacy:
- Health belief model (HBM)
- Theory of planned behavior (TPB)
- Social cognitive theory (SCT)
1. Health belief model
This says that individuals are more likely to take health-related action if
They believe they are susceptible to a condition (perceived susceptibility = a chance to get
the disease)
They believe the condition has serious consequences (perceived severity)
They believe taking a specific action would reduce their susceptibility to or severity of the
condition (perceived benefits)
They believe the costs of taking the action (perceived barriers) are outweighed by the
benefits
They believe in their capacity to perform a specific behavior or task effectively (self-efficacy)
Specific cues from one’s surroundings or subjective experiences can influence the actions the
individual chooses to take (cues to action) peer pressure can be a trigger to do an action.
2. Theory of planned behavior
This is based on the motivation of the person to do an action (how hard he is willing to try).
3. Social cognitive theory
This focuses on how behavioral, environmental, and individual
cognitive elements interact in a social setting. The importance
of observational learning: According to SCT, people pick up and
sustain behaviors by watching other people and the results of
their actions. Reciprocal determinism holds that an individual's
conduct both impacts and is influenced by their social
surroundings and personal traits. This focuses on how
behavioral, environmental, and individual cognitive elements
2
Social Pharmacy: a definition
Everyone gives a different meaning to health. A biomedical approach defines health when an
individual has no disease. WHO states (1948): “health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
This is an overall approach (focusing on a whole system) to health.
It’s not only the absence of disease or illness.
There is an importance of well-being.
The definition of health is evolving in time.
Social pharmacy is the interdisciplinary field that studies the social, behavioral and financial aspects
of medicine use within a society. It analyses the role of pharmacists/pharmaceutical scientist in how
they can help communities to stay healthy and avoid illness.
Comprehending these factors enables pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists to carry out
focused interventions.
Social determinants of health: theoretical foundations of social pharmacy
There are different factors that have an influence on the health of a person in different communities.
1. Social and cultural factors:
Traditional medicine: herbal remedies, spiritual therapies
Use of alcohol and tobacco
Compliance
Accepting of rejecting medical treatment, including prescribed drugs
In addition, there are also racial and ethnic disparities and social stigmas like HIV and mental health.
A social stigma means a negative label or judgment placed on a person or group because of
something that society sees as different or unacceptable. This can really influence an individual.
2. Economic factors:
Individual level
o Employment status
o Income level (affects if a person will do the treatment or not)
o Job position
o Socio-economic status
National level
o High vs low-income countries (survival rate is higher in high income countries).
o Urban vs less developed areas (you can see differences in health).
3. Environmental factors
Health and the need for pharmaceutical services are impacted by the physical environment
(air pollution increases respiratory disorders, climate change increases natural catastrophes
that disrupt healthcare services and availability to pharmaceuticals, clean water, etc.).
Environment and infrastructure also have an impact on availability of healthcare and
pharmaceutical service.
1
, Also, with healthcare, pharmaceutical industry and medication, we can affect the
environment with carbon emission and waste production.
Ex. Diclofenac gel that goes into the groundwater while showering.
Ex. Transportation of medication around the world.
Health behavior models: theoretical foundations of social pharmacy
This are frameworks for comprehending and influencing patient behaviors related to medication
adherence, lifestyle changes and health promotion. This is commonly used in social pharmacy:
- Health belief model (HBM)
- Theory of planned behavior (TPB)
- Social cognitive theory (SCT)
1. Health belief model
This says that individuals are more likely to take health-related action if
They believe they are susceptible to a condition (perceived susceptibility = a chance to get
the disease)
They believe the condition has serious consequences (perceived severity)
They believe taking a specific action would reduce their susceptibility to or severity of the
condition (perceived benefits)
They believe the costs of taking the action (perceived barriers) are outweighed by the
benefits
They believe in their capacity to perform a specific behavior or task effectively (self-efficacy)
Specific cues from one’s surroundings or subjective experiences can influence the actions the
individual chooses to take (cues to action) peer pressure can be a trigger to do an action.
2. Theory of planned behavior
This is based on the motivation of the person to do an action (how hard he is willing to try).
3. Social cognitive theory
This focuses on how behavioral, environmental, and individual
cognitive elements interact in a social setting. The importance
of observational learning: According to SCT, people pick up and
sustain behaviors by watching other people and the results of
their actions. Reciprocal determinism holds that an individual's
conduct both impacts and is influenced by their social
surroundings and personal traits. This focuses on how
behavioral, environmental, and individual cognitive elements
2
