Abstract / Summary
Depression is a major public health burden, and community pharmacists may support accessible mental healthcare through medication management, counseling, adherence support, and referral. This study assessed pharmacists’ depression-care practices, perceptions and attitudes, perceived barriers, and factors associated with practice in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among licensed community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia from October 2024 to January 2025. A validated questionnaire assessed practices, perceptions and attitudes, and barriers. Multiple linear regression was used to examine factors associated with practice scores. Of 533 pharmacists invited, 377 participated (70.7%). The overall practice score was 51.0%, indicating low practice, while the perception/attitude score was 77.4%, indicating a moderate level. Common activities included encouraging antidepressant adherence and checking prescription details, whereas physician consultation and provision of written educational materials were less frequent. Major barriers included limited access to patient medical profiles, poor patient understanding of depression, lack of privacy, time constraints, and inadequate mental health training. The regression model was significant (F(21, 355) = 4.84, p < 0.001; R² = 0.223). Greater professional experience was associated with higher practice scores. Pharmacists aged 30–39 years had lower scores than those aged 20–29 years (B = − 0.30, p = 0.045), whereas dispensing 50–100 prescriptions daily was associated with higher scores (B = 0.23, p = 0.046). Depression-specific training was not significantly associated with practice (B = 0.19, p = 0.066). Community pharmacists held supportive perceptions toward depression care but engaged in limited practice. Strengthening their role may require competency-based training, better access to patient information, private counseling, clear referral pathways, and stronger interprofessional collaboration. Not applicable.