Traditionally, pharmacists have been known for a few responsibilities. Talk about dispensing medicine that has been recommended by doctors, providing authoritative information to consumers on the efficiency and safety of medicines, and making prescriptions for over-the-counter medications. However, with time, people are able to see the depths of what pharmacists are able to do.
On 25 September 2024, when marking World Pharmacists Day, WHO/Europe highlighted the new responsibilities that pharmacists have been taking in a number of regions and countries. Whatever they have been doing has been benefiting patients in a large way as well as the broader health system.
As pharmacists take on expanded roles in patient care and public health, the need for advanced clinical training continues to grow. Many professionals are now turning to programs such as PharmD programs online to build clinical expertise while continuing to serve patients within rapidly evolving healthcare systems.
How Have Pharmacists Roles Changed?
Where pharmacists had been known, a few decades ago, to only be medical dispensers, their roles have shifted to clinically-focused, patient-centered care providers. This evolution has led to important improvements in patient safety, treatment effectiveness, chronic disease management, and health system efficiency.
In an interview, Koen Straetsmans, the president of the Association of Pharmacists Belgium (APB), stated that since becoming the president of the APB, there have been massive changes in the profession.
For example, since 2023, pharmacists in Belgium extended their services to immunizations against influenza as well as prevention and screening programmes. The members of the association in Brussels and Wallon regions in 2024 were taking a role in colon cancer screening.
Providing Patient Education
Another pharmacist from the Republic of Moldova, Larisa Agachi, in an interview with the WHO, stated that in recent years, pharmacists have been taking more roles in educating patients to increase their level of responsibility towards treatment. You see, the success of a treatment is not only dependent on the efforts of doctors and pharmacists. The patient has to have the proper attitude and behavior regarding medication.
Pharmacists educate patients through various methods, including:
- Patient visits and consultations.
- Medical consultations, i.e., explaining how medications work and why it is important to adhere.
- Giving advice on side effects and the steps to take.
- Patient follow-up calls to address concerns and reinforce education.
- Workshops and community programs.
To reinforce this point, Daniel Knecht of CVS Caremark stated that the role of pharmacists was quickly changing from being dispensers to counselors. Through this education, patients feel supported and motivated to follow through with their treatment plans.
Improving Access to Care
Over the last few years, the healthcare industry has been moving more toward a value-based care model. This shift has brought together different healthcare providers to work together as a team for better outcomes.
Since pharmacies are found almost everywhere, and the fact that many consumers trust their pharmacists, there is an opportunity for better access to care. According to an article from Wolters Kluwer, 9 out of 10 people in the US live within five miles of a community pharmacy. What’s even more interesting is the fact that people visit their pharmacists at least 12 times more than they visit their doctors. This just shows how important the role of a pharmacist is in healthcare, and particularly in rural areas.
The US Public Health Service (USPHS) leverages the role of pharmacists to provide direct patient care to vulnerable and underserved populations. This mostly happens in outpatient clinics where the main pharmacy services emphasized are non-dispensing ones. By collaborating with other professionals in the health sector, these pharmacists help to manage acute and chronic illnesses by offering quality care.
Measurable Improvements in Clinical Outcomes
Multiple systematic reviews and research studies reveal that pharmacist interventions lead to significant improvements in patient health.
To start with, pharmacist involvement in patient care has consistently driven down medication-related harm. This is according to a systematic review examining evidence from 2016-2025 by the VER Journal. Data shows that pharmacist intervention in medication reconciliation during admission and discharge has led to a drop in medical errors by 35%. Additionally, a study on Saudi hospitals realized that by pharmacists being involved in the Antimicrobial Stewardship program, inappropriate antibiotic use went down by 41%.
Another thing that has been seen is better medical adherence and chronic disease control. You see, patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension often struggle with complex medication regimens. With pharmacists being involved in the care teams, they help improve long-term adherence and clinical markers. For instance, the systematic review shows that pharmacists’ intervention improved medical adherence by 28%.
Expanding the Frontiers
With technology advancing with every waking day, the reach of pharmacists is becoming even greater. Now, with telepharmacy platforms coming up every day, pharmacists are able to manage medications, support remote clinics, and educate patients, especially in underserved areas. Now, patients do not need to visit physical locations to get help as digital tools are making things very easy.
The modern pharmacist has become a health system innovator. Things that people didn’t know were possible two decades ago are happening courtesy of this dedicated industry. And as health systems evolve to meet the rising burden of chronic disease and accessibility challenges, pharmacists are positioned to offer the highest quality of patient-centered care.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
