Pharmacy academicians’ perception towards public health: a qualitative study

Objectives This qualitative study explored pharmacy academics’ perceptions of pharmacists’ public health roles, the adequacy of pharmacy education, and barriers to public health practice in Türkiye. Methods Eleven pharmacy academics from Faculties of Pharmacy in Istanbul participated in online, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results Participants viewed public health as a multidimensional field centred on prevention and collaboration. Community pharmacies were considered accessible entry points to healthcare with substantial potential to provide preventive services, support health literacy, and contribute to chronic disease management. This potential remained underutilised due to insufficient public health competencies in pharmacy education, limited societal health literacy, and inadequate systemic recognition of pharmacists’ roles. Conclusion Strengthening public health education in pharmacy curricula and establishing policies that recognise pharmacists as frontline public health practitioners may enhance their contribution to population health.