Pharmaceutical Care Delivery in Community Pharmacies: An Assessment of Structured Patient Follow-Up Practices in Abuja, FCT

Background: Pharmaceutical care extends beyond drug dispensing to encompass ongoing patient follow-up, therapy monitoring, and outcomes assessment. In high-income countries, structured follow-up is an established pharmacy practice standard. In Nigeria, the extent to which community pharmacies provide structured patient follow-up remains largely undocumented. This study assessed the nature and frequency of structured patient follow-up in community pharmacies in Abuja. Methods: A cross-sectional study utilised direct observation and structured interviews with 80 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians across 40 community pharmacies in the Federal Capital Territory. Follow-up practices were assessed using a 20-item validated checklist adapted from the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe guidelines. Results: Structured follow-up was practised consistently in only 17 percent of pharmacies. Medication refill tracking was the most common follow-up activity (58%), while outcome monitoring and therapy reassessment were rare (11% and 8% respectively). Patient record-keeping was inconsistent across 74 percent of outlets. Pharmacies affiliated with professional chains showed more structured practices. Conclusion: Structured pharmaceutical care follow-up in Abuja community pharmacies is limited and inconsistent. Professional regulation, continuing education requirements, and incentive-linked pharmacy accreditation are needed to drive improvement. Keywords: pharmaceutical care, patient follow-up, community pharmacy, Abuja, pharmacy practice