Objective:

To identify pharmacist interventions, in preventive chemotherapy for intestinal parasitosis that promote the prevention of intestinal parasitosis and the effective and safe use of antiparasitic drugs.

Method:

It was carried out an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional and multicentre opinion study in which 49 community pharmacists were interviewed in person, using an instrument designed for this purpose.

Result:

Overall, 89.80% (n=44) of the community pharmacists interviewed reported offering the minor ailments service in the case of preventive chemotherapy for intestinal parasitosis. Interventions included: referral to a physician or other health care provider according to criteria (100.00%), dispensing of an antiparasitic agent (93.18%) and hygiene and dietary recommendations (79.55%). Albendazole and nitazoxanide were the main medications dispensed.

Conclusion:

The importance of the role of the Costa Rican community pharmacist in preventive chemotherapy of intestinal parasitosis is evident according to the sample analyzed because his/her actions promote rational use of antiparasitic agents and the prevention of parasitosis.

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