Peer Review Process

The peer review process is designed to uphold the quality, integrity, and credibility of the scholarly work published in the Journal of Public Health and Pharmacy. All manuscripts are evaluated through a rigorous double-blind peer review process to support impartial assessment by qualified subject-matter experts.

1. Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, the editorial team conducts an initial screening to confirm that the manuscript aligns with the journal’s scope, complies with submission requirements, and meets basic academic and ethical standards. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be returned to the authors for correction or declined prior to external review.

2. Double-Blind External Review

Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to independent reviewers with relevant expertise. The journal applies a double-blind system in which the identities of authors and reviewers are not disclosed to one another throughout the review process. Each manuscript is typically evaluated by two to three reviewers.

3. Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on multiple criteria, including:

• Clarity and relevance of the title and abstract.
• Quality and adequacy of the background and literature context.
• Methodological soundness, including ethical considerations where applicable.
• Accuracy, transparency, and interpretation of results.
• Depth of discussion, theoretical contribution, and implications.
• Coherence of conclusions and consistency with the findings.
• Originality, scholarly relevance, and potential scientific contribution.
• Overall structure, language quality, and appropriateness of references.

4. Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to provide comprehensive, specific, and constructive feedback, with comments linked to relevant sections of the manuscript. Reviewers must maintain confidentiality, declare any conflicts of interest, and follow ethical standards of academic integrity throughout the review process.

5. Editorial Decision

After reviews are received, the Editorial Board evaluates the reports and considers the manuscript’s strengths, limitations, and alignment with the journal’s aims and scope. The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the Editorial Board. Decisions may include:

• Accept
• Minor Revision
• Major Revision
• Reject

6. Similarity Screening

To support originality and academic integrity, manuscripts may undergo similarity screening using Turnitin or equivalent similarity checking tools. Similarity results are assessed by the editorial team in context to distinguish appropriate overlap from potential misconduct.

7. Post-Acceptance Processing

Accepted manuscripts proceed to post-acceptance processing, including professional copyediting, typesetting, and final proofreading. Authors will be invited to review and approve proofs before publication. Articles are then published according to the journal’s publication schedule.