Pharmacists have transitioned from traditional roles focused on dispensing medications to expanded responsibilities that include direct patient care, chronic disease management, medication therapy management, and public health initiatives. These developments position pharmacists as vital members of the healthcare team, contributing significantly to improved patient outcomes. However, public awareness of these expanded roles remains limited, which may hinder their full utilization. This study aims to assess public awareness, perceptions, and understanding of pharmacists' evolving roles in healthcare within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It also seeks to identify potential barriers and facilitators to optimizing pharmacist-patient engagement. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 1,295 adult participants in KSA. The structured survey, distributed online in Arabic, evaluated knowledge, perceptions, and barriers regarding pharmacists’ roles. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to explore associations between demographic factors and awareness levels. Among participants, 77.5% were aware of pharmacists’ roles beyond dispensing medications, and 89.3% had received health advice or counseling from a pharmacist. Despite this, 68.7% identified dispensing medications as the primary pharmacist role, with limited recognition of roles in chronic disease management (3.2%) or preventive health services (7%). Awareness of expanded services, such as vaccination provision (57.7%) and chronic disease management (74.4%), was variable. Additionally, 86.8% had consulted a pharmacist for advice instead of visiting a doctor, highlighting positive engagement. However, misconceptions regarding pharmacists' expertise and their broader contributions to healthcare were evident. The findings underscore the need for targeted public education initiatives and policy development to enhance awareness of pharmacists' capabilities. By addressing gaps in knowledge and perceptions, stakeholders can optimize pharmacists' integration into healthcare teams, improve patient outcomes, and promote public health. These results offer actionable insights for advancing pharmacists' roles in healthcare systems.