The role of pharmacists within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS): Challenges and perspectives

The role of pharmacists within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) has expanded significantly over the past decades, paralleling the development of public health policies and the increased access of the population to pharmaceutical services. Embedded in Pharmaceutical Care and guided by the principles of comprehensive health care, pharmaceutical practice has proven essential for the rational use of medicines, health education, and sanitary surveillance. This study, based on a literature review, analyzed the role of pharmacists in SUS, highlighting their contribution to Primary Health Care, the strengthening of multidisciplinary teams, the promotion of rational medicine use, and community engagement, as well as discussing the challenges and future prospects of this practice in Brazil. The findings underscore the main challenges faced by professionals, such as limited resources, work overload, and fragmentation of health teams, while also revealing promising perspectives, particularly in the strengthening of pharmaceutical care and patient-centered practices. It is concluded that pharmacists’ presence is strategic for improving health care quality, emphasizing the need for public policies that ensure better working conditions, professional recognition, and continuous training.