Pharmacists Capable of Depression Screening, More Studies Needed on Impact

Community pharmacists are capable of using depression screening tools to identify adults with undiagnosed depressive symptoms and appropriately refer them for care, according to a systematic review published online in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 

“However,” researchers added, “there is a lack of evidence around the impact and cost‐effectiveness of pharmacists screening adults for depression in community settings.” 

Because community pharmacists have long played a role in screening for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea, researchers conducted their systematic review to investigate the feasibility—as well as the impact and cost-effectiveness—of pharmacist screening for depression.

The review spanned a total 10 studies published between January 2000 and September 2019 that involved depression screening by community pharmacists. Seven studies reported pharmacists were able to use a screening tool to identify adults with undiagnosed depression, according to the review, and seven studies reported pharmacists referred people who screened positive for further assessment.

Unfortunately, no studies in the review investigated the impact of pharmacist screening on depressive symptoms or the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

“Larger, well‐designed studies which implement key strategies such as the use of a highly accurate, easily administered screening tool, patient referral and follow‐up, and pharmacist training, are warranted to provide more robust evidence on the impact and cost‐effectiveness of pharmacists screening adults for depression in community settings,” researchers concluded. 

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference:

Miller P, Newby D, Walkom E, Schneider J, Li SC. Depression screening in adults by pharmacists in the community: a systematic review [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 9]. Int J Pharm Pract. 2020;10.1111/ijpp.12661. doi:10.1111/ijpp.12661