AccScience Publishing / AN / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/AN025060009
Submit to AN
Cite this article
9
Download
91
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE

Advancing neurological care: The emerging role of pharmacists in patient-centered management

Irma Wati Ngadimon1* ,  Rose Aniza Rusli2 ,  Farah Waheeda Tajurudin3
Show Less
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2 Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Advanced Neurology, 025060009 https://doi.org/10.36922/AN025060009
Received: 6 February 2025 | Revised: 27 May 2025 | Accepted: 30 May 2025 | Published online: 18 June 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
Cite
XML
Abstract

The role of pharmacists in healthcare is rapidly evolving, extending beyond traditional dispensing to encompass critical clinical functions within interdisciplinary teams. In neurological care, where patients often face complex, long-term pharmacotherapy, pharmacists remain an underutilized resource despite their specialized expertise. This perspective article explores the growing involvement of pharmacists in managing neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and dementia. It highlights their expanding contributions across medication optimization, adherence support, patient education, adverse effect monitoring, and integration of digital tools, including artificial intelligence and pharmacogenomics. Drawing on recent evidence and international models, the article illustrates how pharmacist-led interventions improve therapeutic outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and enhance safety in both hospital and community settings. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embedding pharmacists more fully into neurology teams to meet the increasing demand for patient-centered, coordinated care. In addition, it calls for strategic investments in pharmacist training, supportive policies, and future research to realize the full potential of pharmacists in neurology. By recognizing pharmacists as integral partners in neurological care, healthcare systems can advance quality, equity, and efficiency in managing these complex disorders. This perspective aims to spark dialog and innovation around an emerging frontier in collaborative neuropharmaceutical practice.

Keywords
Pharmacist
Neurological care
Patient-centered management
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
  1. Choi H, Hamberger MJ, Munger Clary H, et al. Seizure frequency and patient-centered outcome assessment in epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2014;55(8):1205-1212. doi: 10.1111/epi.12672

 

  1. May A, Morgan O, Quairoli K. Incorporation and impact of a clinical pharmacist in a hospital-based neurology clinic treating patients with multiple sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2021;23(1):16-20. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2019-032

 

  1. Eshiet UI, Okonta JM, Ukwe CV. Impact of a pharmacist-led education and counseling interventions on quality of life in epilepsy: A randomized controlled trial. Epilepsy Res. 2021;174:106648. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106648

 

  1. The Malaysian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (MADRAC). In: 2021 Annual Report. National Centre for Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring; 2021. Available from: https://www.npra.gov.my/easyarticles/images/shared/fv/ annual report/annual-report-2021.pdf [Last accessed on 2025 Feb 11].

 

  1. Perucca P, Gilliam FG. Adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs. Lancet Neurol. 2012;11(9):792-802. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70153-9

 

  1. Vijayasingham L, Uma J, Allotey P. Challenges for accessing and financing high-cost medicines in multipayer systems: Case studies of multiple sclerosis in Malaysia. Crit Public Health. 2019;29(1):74-83. doi: 10.1080/09581596.2017.1403011

 

  1. Cheong WL. A descriptive study of a pharmacist medication adherence program for patients with multiple sclerosis using interferon beta. J Pharm Pract Res. 2017;47(3):248. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1307

 

  1. Jacob A, Shatila AO, Inshasi J, et al. Disease modifying treatment guidelines for multiple sclerosis in the United Arab Emirates. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024;88:105703. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105703

 

  1. Rajakumar S, Rajendran V, Azlam M, Micdhadhu M, Looi I, Rajah R. Direct cost of rituximab treatment in multiple sclerosis : A real-world finding from Malaysia. Neurology Asia. 2024;29(1):193-199. doi: 10.54029/2024epj

 

  1. Jermini M, Fonzo-Christe C, Blondon K, et al. Financial impact of medication reviews by clinical pharmacists to reduce in-hospital adverse drug events: A return-on-investment analysis. Int J Clin Pharm. 2024;46(2):496-505. doi: 10.1007/s11096-023-01683-w

 

  1. Jefferies KA, Bromberg MB. The role of a clinical pharmacist in a multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic. Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2012;13(2):233-236. doi: 10.3109/17482968.2011.636449

 

  1. Anderson B, Snider MJ, Hansen M, et al. Benefit of clinical pharmacists in neurology clinics at an academic medical center. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2024;64(2):492-498.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.01.010

 

  1. Idiaquez JF, Gonzalez S, Lasso-Penafiel J, Barnett C. Adhesion al tratamiento farmacologico y descripcion de sus factores asociados en pacientes con miastenia grave [Pharmacological treatment compliance and a description of its associated factors in patients with myasthenia gravis]. Rev Neurol. 2018;66(1):15-20. doi: 10.33588/rn.6601.2017436

 

  1. Yi ZM, Li TT, Tang QY, Zhang Y, Willis S, Zhai SD. Content and impact of pharmacy services for patients with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(27):e20775. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021104

 

  1. Oonk Nicol GM, Movig Kris LL, van der Palen Job, et al. The effect of a structured medication review on quality of life in Parkinson’s disease. J Park Dis. 2022;12(4):1295-1306. doi: 10.3233/JPD-213021

 

  1. Techa-angkoon P, Pitakpatapee Y, Saengphatrachai W, Srivanitchapoom P, Suansanae T. Impact of pharmacist-physician collaboration on patient outcomes in Parkinson’s disease: A randomised controlled trial in tertiary care. Int J Clin Pharm. 2025;47:834-843. doi: 10.1007/s11096-025-01883-6

 

  1. Klietz M, Greten S, Wegner F, Höglinger GU. Safety and tolerability of pharmacotherapies for Parkinson’s disease in geriatric patients. Drugs Aging. 2019;36(6):511-530. doi: 10.1007/s40266-019-00654-z

 

  1. William S, Hauser Robert A, Schapira Anthony HV. Neurology: Role of the pharmacist in the effective management of wearing-off in Parkinson’s disease. Ann Pharmacother. 2007;41(11):1842-1849. doi: 10.1345/aph.1K348

 

  1. Basaraba JE, Picard M, George-Phillips K, Mysak T. Pharmacists as care providers for stroke patients: A systematic review. Can J Neurol Sci. 2018;45(1):49-55. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2017.233

 

  1. Al-Qahtani S, Jalal Z, Paudyal V, Mahmood S, Mason J. The role of pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care in primary and secondary prevention of stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2022;10(11):2315. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10112315

 

  1. Viviandhari D, Andayani TM, Paryono, Kristanti MS. Pharmacist-led patient education in secondary stroke prevention: A systematic review. Malaysian J Med Sci. 2025;32(2):7-22. doi: 10.21315/mjms-01-2025-043

 

  1. Child A, Clarke A, Fox C, Maidment I. A pharmacy led program to review anti-psychotic prescribing for people with dementia. BMC Psychiatry. 2012;12(1):155. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-12-155

 

  1. Watanabe N, Yamamura K, Suzuki Y, et al. Pharmacist-based donepezil outpatient consultation service to improve medication persistence. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2012;6:605-611. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S34984

 

  1. McDerby N, Kosari S, Bail K, Shield A, Peterson G, Naunton M. Pharmacist-led medication reviews in aged care residents with dementia: A systematic review. Australas J Ageing. 2020;39(4):e478-e489. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12827

 

  1. Weber C, Meyer-Massetti C, Schönenberger N. Pharmacist-led interventions at hospital discharge: A scoping review of studies demonstrating reduced readmission rates. Int J Clin Pharm. 2025;47(1):15-30. doi: 10.1007/s11096-024-01821-y

 

  1. Jimmy N, Upadhya M, Jaison JM, et al. A Clinical pharmacist-led approach on reducing drug related problems among patients with neurological disorders: An interventional study. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023;11:100302. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100302

 

  1. Martin AW, Heberle AP, Knight JM. Interventions associated with implementation of a pharmacist-led neurology pharmacotherapy clinic in an ambulatory care setting. J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2019;2(2):116-122. doi: 10.1002/jac5.1039

 

  1. Pharmaceutical Service Program Ministry of Health Malaysia. Neurology Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic Protocol; 2024. Available from: https://pharmacy.moh. gov.my/en/documents/neurology-medication-therapy-adherence-clinic-protocol.html?utm_ source=chatgpt.com [Last accessed on 2025 Feb 08].

 

  1. Al-Tameemi NK, Sarriff A. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists on medication therapy management: A survey in Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia. J Pharm Health Care Sci. 2019;5:1. doi: 10.1186/s40780-019-0131-9

 

  1. Halli-Tierney AD, Scarbrough C, Carroll D. Polypharmacy: Evaluating risks and deprescribing. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):32-38.

 

  1. Chalasani SH, Syed J, Ramesh M, Patil V, Pramod Kumar TM. Artificial intelligence in the field of pharmacy practice: A literature review. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023;12:100346. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100346

 

  1. Desert Oasis Healthcare. “Virtual Pharmacist” Introduced at Desert Oasis Healthcare. Palm Springs; 2022. Available from: https://www.mydohc.com/about/news/virtual-pharmacist-introduced-at-desert-oasis-healthcare [Last accessed on 2025 Mar 03].

 

  1. Grant CW, Marrero-Polanco J, Joyce JB, et al. Pharmacogenomic augmented machine learning in electronic health record alerts: A health system-wide usability survey of clinicians. Clin Transl Sci. 2024;17(10):e70044. doi: 10.1111/cts.70044

 

  1. University of Kentucky HealthCare. AI Helping Bring Vital Stroke Care “Virtually to the Patient’s Bedside.” Lexington (KY): University of Kentucky; 2022. Available from: https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/ai-helping-bring-vital-stroke-care-virtually-patient-s-bedside [Last accessed on 2025 Mar 09].

 

  1. Zheng T, Vizcarra N, Desselle SP. Pharmacists Can Leverage Future Roles in Outcomes-Based Payment Modelsle. Pharmacy Times; 2024. Available from: https://www. pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacists-can-leverage-future-roles-in-outcomes-based-payment-models [Last accessed on 2025 Mar 10].

 

Next article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Advanced Neurology, Electronic ISSN: 2810-9619 Print ISSN: 3060-8589, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept