Telepharmacy: A Systematic Review of Field Application, Benefits, Limitations, and Applicability During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Telepharmacy is widely known as the delivery of pharmacy care offered by registered pharmacists and pharmacies using telecommunication technologies to patients at a distance. We conducted a systematic review of the reported usages, benefits, and limitations of telepharmacy models worldwide to further clarify the pros and cons of a telepharmacy model.Methods: A total of 39 relevant articles was included after searching for articles with a fixed term on four databases, including PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Global Health Library (GHL), and Google Scholar, as of April 2021.Results: Our review suggested that telepharmacy has played an essential role in addressing pharmacist shortages and helping patients both safely and effectively administer medications in underserved areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote dispensing and counseling are effective measures to avoid infection.Conclusion: Telepharmacy could potentially replace or complement pharmaceutical-related activities, facilitating future innovation in the health care industry.

Automated summary

Telepharmacy, as a delivery of pharmacy care using telecommunication technologies, has been proven effective in addressing pharmacist shortages and facilitating safe medication administration in underserved areas. It also has the potential to drive innovation in the healthcare industry.