The missing link? Pharmacists' perspectives on discontinuation of long-term antidepressants: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-term use of antidepressant drugs is widespread despite guidelines recommending limited duration. General practitioners (GPs) play a central role in reviewing and discontinuing antidepressants, although they hesitate to initiate a discussion about the long-term use. The potential role of pharmacists in this process is underexplored, despite their pharmaceutical expertise and accessibility.

Objectives

To explore community pharmacists' perspectives on the discontinuation of long-term use of antidepressants, and the barriers and facilitators to their involvement in this process.

Design

Qualitative study.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Belgian community pharmacists until data saturation. Interviews were recorded, transcribe

SUBMITTER: Van Leeuwen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12038199 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature