PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN ECUADOR: A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The services offered by pharmacies globally have undergone a significant transformation, evolving en a predominantly product-centered orientation to a more patient-centered approach. However, in the context of Ecuador, this transition towards a more patient-centered pharmaceutical care still presents numerous shortcomings. Methodology: A systematic analysis was carried out following PRISMA guidelines, which included filtering articles using keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-one articles were identified in regional and international databases, which addressed the application of pharmaceutical care in Ecuador. In addition, there was a marked preference for retrospective studies, with no evidence of follow-up to verify the efficacy of the interventions carried out. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care in Ecuador is far in being a consolidated practice, especially at the hospital level and even more so at the community level.