RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Since the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic is not the first and will not be the last, pharmacists' experiences during this period can be used to establish a more efficient healthcare system to face future pandemics. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore Iranian pharmacists' experiences in pharmacies using the content analysis method. METHODS: In this qualitative study, a conventional content analysis approach was applied. Ten male and female pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Birjand, Iran participated using a purposeful sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were carried out for data collection. The data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's method. RESULTS: Four categories and ten subcategories were extracted as follows: Multifaceted concerns of pharmacists (familial, economical, professional, and personal concerns), Non-compliance with protocols from occurrence to cause (facing non-compliance with protocols by clients, obstacles to complying with protocols in the pharmacy), Prevention from COVID-19 (protective equipment usage, designing protection rules), and Double reactions to COVID-19 (emotional and; practical reactions). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists dealt with different concerns and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are one of the main primary care providers and need to be supported by the authorities to maintain their standard level of services.