Exploring the concept and definition of scope of practice in pharmacy: A scoping review.

Abstract

Background: The term scope of practice (SOP) is gaining increasing traction within the pharmacy profession, reflecting its growing importance. Despite this, definitions and interpretations remain varied, as evidenced by the number of definitions and the variety of synonyms and adjectives used in the literature.

Objectives: (i) To examine the conceptual diversity in terminology used to describe SOP for the pharmacy profession across different jurisdictions; (ii) to propose a curated list of definitions and examples, along with recommended contexts for their application at local, national, and international levels.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following JBI methodology and reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to January 2025. Grey literature was explored using Google, the Overton database, and other methods. Titles and abstracts of identified records were screened, followed by full-text review against inclusion criteria. Definitions were systematically categorised to identify thematic patterns, overlaps, and distinctions, informing the development of a curated list of SOP definitions for pharmacy.

Results: Of 4,010 peer-reviewed records, 2,106 were screened after removing duplicates, with 31 publications meeting inclusion criteria. An additional 49 grey literature reports were included. A total of 172 definitions were compiled, capturing both phrasing and contextual application of SOP terminology. While no single universally accepted definition emerged, most aligned with three dominant conceptual themes.

Conclusions: The growing focus on pharmacy SOP highlights the need for a more unified and strategic framework. Consolidating definitions into a curated and accessible resource can improve clarity and consistency across educational, clinical, policy, and regulatory domains.