Today’s Pharmacists Are Transforming Healthcare

Whether dispensing drugs in a community pharmacy, advising allied health professionals in hospitals and clinics, or performing research in a lab or corporation, pharmacists are on the front lines of healthcare where, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, they are changing the healthcare landscape, enhancing patient outcomes, and promoting overall health.

Due to the sheer number of people who use their services and the public’s high confidence in their credentials, pharmacists are highly visible and recognized as reliable and accessible healthcare resources.

A recent survey reported that 58% of Americans are likely to visit a local pharmacy first when faced with a non-emergency medical issue. Eight in ten people say they see their pharmacist as an integral part of their healthcare team.

Why become a pharmacist? A career in pharmacy is rewarding — pharmacists directly impact their patients’ health and the well-being of their communities. It’s also lucrative, stable, and flexible.

Making a Difference in Community Pharmacies

Today’s community pharmacists aren’t pill counters or order takers — they are essential to any healthcare team’s goal to optimize patient outcomes. Pharmacists answer countless daily questions from patients and healthcare providers, navigate patient access challenges, identify and intervene drug-drug and drug-health interactions, and do so much more to ensure the patients they serve are getting the best care possible.

The following highlights some key areas where community pharmacists provide vital services to care for their communities.

Provide Medication Management

It’s no surprise that one of the central roles of a pharmacist is medication management to ensure their patients use drugs safely and effectively. Last year alone, pharmacists filled 4.83 billion prescriptions nationwide.

Pharmacists constantly evaluate patients’ drug histories and manage chronic diseases by:

• Reviewing medication regimens
• Monitoring potential side effects
• Preventing drug interactions
• Encouraging medication adherence
• Counseling patients on health lifestyle choices such as smoking cessation
• Administering vaccines

Collaborating with the prescribing physician, pharmacists recommend alternatives when certain drugs are unavailable or not the best option and suggest over-the-counter medications for minor ailments.

It is paramount for pharmacists to stay educated and current on the latest drugs. On average, the Food and Drug Administration approved 38 new drugs annually from 2010 through 2019, 60 percent more than the previous decade.

Improve Access to Care

In recent years, the healthcare industry has moved toward a value-based care model that reimburses for healthcare outcomes instead of services. This shift has pushed healthcare providers to work together as a team for better outcomes. Enter the pharmacist, who now sits at the table with other qualified health providers to provide resources to meet healthcare outcomes and is extremely accessible.

The ubiquitous nature of community pharmacies, combined with consumers’ trust in their pharmacists, creates an opportunity for better access to care. Nine in 10 people in the U.S. live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and people visit their pharmacies 12 times more than their doctors, according to an article from Wolters Kluwer, a global information, software solutions and services provider for professionals in healthcare.

In these settings, pharmacists improve access to care by providing immunizations, consultations, and other health screenings, such as blood pressure checks and cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index testing.

Capitalizing on their placement in the community, pharmacists played an integral role in Covid-19 vaccinations during the pandemic, acting as supportive resources for many primary care providers. As one example of this, in addition to dispensing Paxlovid, CVS pharmacists and technicians alone administered more than 80 million Covid-19 vaccines during the height of the pandemic.

Provide Patient Education

Building relationships with patients and caregivers builds credibility so that when pharmacists educate and inform, patients feel empowered to take control of their health.

Pharmacists deliver patient education in a variety of ways, including:

• Face-to-face discussions and consultations
• Telepharmacy and online consultations
• Written materials that summarize essential information
• Tools such as pillboxes or medication schedules to promote medication adherence
• Individualized medication reviews
• Follow-up calls to address any concerns and reinforce education and adherence
• Workshops and community health programs aimed at educating the public on health topics and medication safety

Employing these strategies, pharmacists help ensure patient understanding and adherence, ultimately improving health outcomes.

“The role of the pharmacist is changing, and it's changing quickly from a dispenser to a counselor,” said Daniel Knecht, MD, MBA, of CVS Caremark.

Advocate for Public Health

Pharmacists go beyond patient care and serve their community through outreach activities and advocacy, including:

• Public health campaigns on smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles, and disease prevention
• Policy advocacy at the local, state, and national levels to support health initiatives and legislation to improve public health
• Participation in community outreach events to provide health education, testing, and immunizations in underserved areas
• Research and data collection to help identify health trends and inform public health decisions

Making a Difference in Hospitals and Clinics

In addition to the community setting services they provide, pharmacists are also physician advisers and educators for patients and medical staff in hospitals and other clinic settings. The primary duties of the pharmacist in a hospital setting include:

• Advising healthcare team members on medication best practices
• Medication management such as antibiotic stewardship
• Drug preparation and dispensing
• Patient counseling
• Formulating pharmaceutical care plans

An increasing number of patients are hospitalized with multiple diseases and taking multiple drugs (polypharmacy), causing greater potential for drug interactions and possible medication-related errors.

According to the CDC, an estimated 129 million adults in the U.S. have at least one primary chronic disease. An increasing number of Americans are dealing with multiple chronic conditions; 42% have two or more, and 12% have at least five.

Nationwide, rising demand for chronic and acute care, physician shortages, and the pandemic have highlighted the need to rely on pharmacists for comprehensive care. A well-coordinated team effort among doctors, nurses, and pharmacists can prevent medication errors and ensure holistic care.

Since 1930, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) has leveraged the role of pharmacists to provide direct patient care to underserved and vulnerable populations. This often takes place in outpatient clinics where non-dispensing pharmacist services are emphasized. Today, clinical pharmacists serve patients in many states within several government sectors, including:

• The Indian Health Service
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• The United States Coast Guard

Collaborating with allied healthcare professionals, these pharmacists are essential in managing acute and chronic illnesses and delivering quality care to people in these populations.

Making a Difference in Technology and Research

Pharmacists are crucial in transforming healthcare and improving health care outcomes through integrating technology and research.

Technology

Some of the ways pharmacists use technology to improve patient care and positively impact health outcomes include:

• Telepharmacy services, especially for rural or underserved areas
• Electronic health records for documentation and comprehensive care plans
• Medication management apps for mobile phones
• Pharmacy automation systems for medication dispensing
• Online platforms and interactive tools for patient education

Research and Development

Many pharmacists work in research settings, contributing to the development of new medications and therapies, which can lead to significant advancements in healthcare.

Pharmacists use data analytics to identify trends in medication use and optimize treatment protocols for better management of chronic diseases. They participate in clinical research to advance evidence-based practices and are involved in research studies that lead to the development of new medications and therapies.

Pharmacogenomics

Sometimes referred to as personalized medicine, pharmacists can tailor medication therapies based on an individual’s genetic makeup, improving efficacy and reducing adverse drug reactions, which plays a role in leading to better patient outcomes and improved public health.

Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacist?

A career in pharmacy pays well. Last year, pharmacists’ median annual salary was $136,030, with additional opportunities for overtime and bonuses.

In addition to a six-figure salary, there are many other benefits of becoming a pharmacist, including:

• Job Security — Pharmacists play an essential role in healthcare and are critical to the continuum of patient care in hospitals, community pharmacies, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
• Diverse Career Opportunities — The career path for pharmacists extends well beyond patient care; they can work in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and regulatory agencies.
• Work-Life Balance — Many pharmacy positions offer flexible hours, including part-time options or shift work, contributing to a better work-life balance than some other healthcare professions.
• Specialization Opportunities — Specializing in areas such as oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, or clinical pharmacy allows pharmacists to focus on specific interests for a fulfilling career.
• Lifelong Learning — The pharmacy field continually advances with new medications, therapies, and regulations, allowing pharmacists to engage in lifelong learning and professional development.

Learn more: The Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare Systems

How to Become a Pharmacist and Make a Difference

To begin a fulfilling career in pharmacy, where you can care for members of your community and contribute to transforming healthcare, your first step is to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Many people who decide to become a pharmacist need a flexible program to accommodate their busy lives. The University of Findlay’s reputable and accredited Distance PharmD program offers a rare opportunity to earn your degree online.

• Complete in four years (nine semesters)
• Coursework delivered 100% online (synchronous and asynchronous)
• On-campus requirements: orientation, clinical immersions, and licensure exam prep
• Experiential learning hours in clinical settings near you

You can enhance your marketability by combining Findlay’s PharmD with dual-degree options, including an MBA or an MS in Health Informatics.