Fostering climate resilience in healthcare: the role of pharmacy students in understanding and addressing climate change in Karachi, Pakistan

Climate change has emerged as a major global threat, exerting significant impacts on public health and healthcare systems. The purpose of this study was to assess pharmacy students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding climate change and its impacts on health. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate pharmacy students across various public and private sector universities in Karachi, Pakistan. A content-reviewed questionnaire was used to collect demographic information, awareness, perceptions, and responses of students related to climate change. The study revealed that 98.2% (n = 1211/1233) of the respondents were aware of the consequences of climate change, and most of themperceived it as a serious threat to public health. Approximately 43.1% of respondents reported taking steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change, even though 95% agreed that action must be taken to prevent it. Statistical analysis indicated that gender, university affiliation, and sources of information significantly influenced students’ opinions and understanding of climate-related issues. The findings suggest that although pharmacy students possess theoretical awareness of climate change, they are not actively engaged in mitigation efforts. Integrating climate change education—emphasizing sustainable healthcare practices and the pharmacist’s role in addressing environmental challenges—into pharmacy curricula could help bridge this gap. Strengthening climate resilience through well-informed pharmacy professionals can make a substantial contribution to public health and sustainability initiatives.