Pharmaceutical services for public health emergencies, such as the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic, are relevant for service effectiveness in the Brazilian health system. Pharmacists can act strategically in risk reduction. However, official guidelines do not consider pharmaceutical services when approaching health emergencies.

To identify and understand primary healthcare pharmacist interventions in risk reduction for the recent ZIKV epidemic in Brazil.

The study took place in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, in November 2017. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed, including general issues related to knowledge of Zika, risk communication, and the pharmacist's role in patient care for ZIKV disease. The instrument was pre-tested. Primary healthcare center (PHC) pharmacists were subsequently interviewed. Aspects related to knowledge, risk reduction measures, and role were categorized and analyzed. The project received approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health.

Forty-two of the 48 PHC pharmacists in Campo Grande were interviewed. Risk reduction measures were cited by most interviewees. Among these strategies, 92% were collective measures, such as making information available for the population (30%) and for the health workers (8%), and vector control strategies (43%). Use of mosquito nets was the most cited individual risk-reduction strategy. Only one pharmacist cited risk for pregnant women and suggested birth control as a strategy. Another pharmacist pointed to ZIKV “treatment.” No interviewee mentioned measures related to preparedness of pharmaceutical services.

PHC pharmacists do not place themselves at the frontline of risk reduction for the ZIKV epidemic. In the face of potential hazards and consequences of this disease, action by pharmacists is deemed critical. This study highlights pharmacist's misconceptions and lack of focused knowledge, pointing to the need for training and capacity-building in order to increase quality of care and positive management of future epidemics.