The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions

Background Approximately 50 million individuals across the globe are impacted by epilepsy, leading to fear, discrimination, psychiatric issues, high costs, and social stigma. Proper diagnosis and treatment could allow up to 70% of those affected to live seizure-free. Community pharmacists have signi...

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Main Authors: Michael Petrides, Aliki Peletidi, Evangelia Nena, Theodoros Constantinidis, Christos Kontogiorgis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2487046
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author Michael Petrides
Aliki Peletidi
Evangelia Nena
Theodoros Constantinidis
Christos Kontogiorgis
author_facet Michael Petrides
Aliki Peletidi
Evangelia Nena
Theodoros Constantinidis
Christos Kontogiorgis
author_sort Michael Petrides
collection DOAJ
description Background Approximately 50 million individuals across the globe are impacted by epilepsy, leading to fear, discrimination, psychiatric issues, high costs, and social stigma. Proper diagnosis and treatment could allow up to 70% of those affected to live seizure-free. Community pharmacists have significant potential to actively participate in epilepsy patient care, beyond merely dispensing medications. The objective of this study was to systematically review and assess the roles of pharmacists in epilepsy care, focusing on pharmacist-led interventions and services for patients with epilepsy.Methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review included cross-sectional, retrospective cohort, and qualitative/quantitative studies on pharmacist-led epilepsy interventions in community and outpatient settings. Searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed Central, and Science Direct for studies published through the end of 2023. Two evaluators independently reviewed and chose studies, and the data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®. Quality assessment was performed using the MMAT tool.Results Five eligible studies were included, covering 457 participants. Studies originated from the USA (n = 3), Netherlands (n = 1), and Palestine (n = 1). They evaluated pharmacist-led interventions in epilepsy, including medication adherence, quality of life, and pharmacist’s integration in epilepsy care.Conclusion This review underscores the possible contributions of pharmacists in epilepsy care, stressing the importance of pharmacist-led interventions to enhance medication adherence and the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these services, including disease management and patient education. Increasing awareness among pharmacists and patients about pharmacists’ contributions is crucial for improving epilepsy care.
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spelling doaj-art-00341cba4e874d109e4f754744623d8a2025-08-20T02:16:34ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice2052-32112025-12-0118110.1080/20523211.2025.2487046The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventionsMichael Petrides0Aliki Peletidi1Evangelia Nena2Theodoros Constantinidis3Christos Kontogiorgis4Pharmacy Programme, Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, CyprusPharmacy Programme, Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, CyprusLaboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, GreeceLaboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, GreeceLaboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, GreeceBackground Approximately 50 million individuals across the globe are impacted by epilepsy, leading to fear, discrimination, psychiatric issues, high costs, and social stigma. Proper diagnosis and treatment could allow up to 70% of those affected to live seizure-free. Community pharmacists have significant potential to actively participate in epilepsy patient care, beyond merely dispensing medications. The objective of this study was to systematically review and assess the roles of pharmacists in epilepsy care, focusing on pharmacist-led interventions and services for patients with epilepsy.Methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review included cross-sectional, retrospective cohort, and qualitative/quantitative studies on pharmacist-led epilepsy interventions in community and outpatient settings. Searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed Central, and Science Direct for studies published through the end of 2023. Two evaluators independently reviewed and chose studies, and the data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®. Quality assessment was performed using the MMAT tool.Results Five eligible studies were included, covering 457 participants. Studies originated from the USA (n = 3), Netherlands (n = 1), and Palestine (n = 1). They evaluated pharmacist-led interventions in epilepsy, including medication adherence, quality of life, and pharmacist’s integration in epilepsy care.Conclusion This review underscores the possible contributions of pharmacists in epilepsy care, stressing the importance of pharmacist-led interventions to enhance medication adherence and the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these services, including disease management and patient education. Increasing awareness among pharmacists and patients about pharmacists’ contributions is crucial for improving epilepsy care.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2487046Patient safetypharmacoepidemiologysystematic reviewepilepsy carepublic healthpharmacist-led interventions and services
spellingShingle Michael Petrides
Aliki Peletidi
Evangelia Nena
Theodoros Constantinidis
Christos Kontogiorgis
The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Patient safety
pharmacoepidemiology
systematic review
epilepsy care
public health
pharmacist-led interventions and services
title The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
title_full The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
title_fullStr The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
title_full_unstemmed The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
title_short The role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care: a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
title_sort role of pharmacists in enhancing epilepsy care a systematic review of community and outpatient interventions
topic Patient safety
pharmacoepidemiology
systematic review
epilepsy care
public health
pharmacist-led interventions and services
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2487046
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