Importance of providing pharmaceutical care for patients using psychotropic medicines in community pharmacy

Background Mental health represents a major global public health challenge significantly impacting well-being, quality of life, and mortality. Psychotropic medicines are frequently associated with drug-related problems (DRPs) that may lead to decreased quality of life (QoL), falls, hospitalizations, and increased morbidity, or mortality. Non-adherence, observed in nearly half of patients with psychiatric disorders, remains a critical issue. This study evaluated the real-life impact of community pharmacists in identifying and managing DRPs among patients using psychotropic medicines and examines how sociodemographic factors influence QoL. Methods The randomized controlled study was conducted in six community pharmacies in the Istrian County (Croatia) among adult patients using psycholeptics or psychoanaleptics. DRPs were documented using the Pharmaceutical Care Network of Europe (PCNE) DRP Classification Version 9.1. QoL was assessed once, prior the intervention, with the WHOQoL-BREF Questionnaire. In the intervention group (A), pharmacists’ intervention followed a standardized protocol, in contrast to common pharmacists’ practice in Croatia provided to the participants in the control group (B). Results Ninety-seven participants completed the study. Baseline measurement of QoL showed significantly higher scores in Physical health ( p = 0.018) and Social interaction ( p < 0.001) domains for younger (