Social and Clinical Pharmacy

SCP’s vision is through its research to contribute to a better life with medicines through the newest knowledge about users, organizations and society and how these interact to shape medicines use in society. SCP’s researchers are open to changes in society and constantly seek to adapt their work to currently relevant research theories and methods, as well as being active in shaping the field.

Research question

SCP’s research is mainly within three broad topic areas: Clinical Pharmacy, Medicines Use, and Pharmaceutical Policy. Research within each of these areas can overlap. Research within each focus area can be situated on one or more of the levels of the user, organization and society.

Research in Clinical pharmacy focuses on the activities and services of the clinical pharmacist to develop and promote the rational and appropriate use of medicinal products and devices.

Medicines Use research seeks to gain understanding of medicine use in society and the rationales for using or not using medicines.

Pharmaceutical policy research deals with understanding and evaluating decision making in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Main findings

The group is internationally recognized for its long-time focus on the patient perspective on medicines use and theory founded research. The group was in April 2018 designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre on research and training in the patient perspective on medicines use. Another important research pillar is policy making in the pharmaceuticals arena, where the group researches the political, economic, and ethical rationales in decision making. Lastly, the group is recognized for its strong presence in pharmacy practice research as witnessed by the many publications in this field.