Abstract
Background: Clinical pharmacy practice requires the implementation of safe and rational therapies to optimize clinical outcomes and minimize the risk of adverse drug reactions. Limited availability of early clinical data, particularly for newly developed drugs and the increasing use of natural products, poses challenges in therapeutic decision-making. Under these conditions, preclinical studies serve as an essential source of early evidence for evaluating compound safety prior to human use. Objective: This review aims to examine the role of preclinical studies using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in supporting clinical decision-making in clinical pharmacy practice. Methods: This article was conducted using a narrative review approach of national and international scientific literature addressing therapeutic safety, clinical pharmacy, preclinical studies, and the application of the zebrafish model. Result: The literature indicates that zebrafish offer significant advantages as an efficient, sensitive, and translationally relevant preclinical model for toxicity testing and drug safety assessment, including natural product–based compounds. Integration of preclinical data with clinical considerations contributes to improved accuracy of therapeutic decisions and strengthens the role of clinical pharmacists in ensuring patient safety. Conclusions: Zebrafish-based preclinical studies represent a significant supportive component in evidence-based clinical pharmacy practice.