Abstract
Background and AimCommunity pharmacies are gaining recognition as key access points for primary healthcare. Incorporating point-of-care (POC) diagnostic services in these environments has the potential to enhance early disease detection. However, regulatory and operational obstacles might impede their implementation. This study aimed at identifying and ranking the factors that facilitate and hinder the introduction of POC diagnostic services in South African community pharmacies.MethodsA nominal group technique (NGT) workshop was conducted with eight stakeholders, including pharmacists, academics, and diagnostic specialists. The stakeholders generated, discussed, and ranked ideas on a seven-point Likert scale. Quantitative rankings were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Theme scores are reported as a percentage of the maximum possible score (number of scorers & times; 7), not as a proportion of participants endorsing a theme.ResultsThe key facilitators included accessibility and convenience (94%), professional training and competence (88%), cost and time savings (82%), patient demand and public health initiatives (80%), and stakeholder engagement (78%). The corresponding barriers included infrastructure and space constraints (88%), training gaps (94%), affordability and reimbursement challenges (80%), patient mistrust (71%), regulatory ambiguities (78%), and system-level challenges (78%).ConclusionPharmacies seem ideally situated to offer POC diagnostic services; however, structural and regulatory challenges need resolution for effective integration. Establishing clear policy frameworks, investing in pharmacist education, and fostering stakeholder collaboration have been identified as key priorities for sustainable implementation. Due to the exploratory nature of the study and the limited stakeholder sample, these findings should guide further research and policy discussions rather than serve as conclusive implementation advice.