Pharmacists on Screen: A Negative Portrayal in Film and TV

A study analyzing 214 American films and television episodes from 1970 to 2013 reveals a predominantly negative portrayal of pharmacists. Researchers used surveys, online databases like IMDb, Bing, and Google, and a specific algorithm to categorize 231 pharmacist portrayals as positive, negative, or neutral. Results showed 63% of portrayals were negative, only 13% were positive, and 24% were neutral. Of the 160 unique pharmacist characters, 76% were male, 75% were Caucasian, and only 44% were identified by name. Furthermore, 54% of the characters were depicted as under 50 years old. This skewed representation, coupled with the lack of diversity, contributes to a potentially inaccurate public perception of the profession. The study highlights the need for pharmacists to actively promote a more positive image of their crucial role in healthcare. Educating future pharmacists about public perception and encouraging advocacy are key to changing this negative narrative.