Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professional in communities, literally standing among the patients, but they are not living up to the opportunity and responsibility they have to patients, Onisis Stefas, PharmD, CEO of Vivo Health, the pharmacy operated by New Hyde Park-based Northwell Health, said in an opinion piece published on MedPage Today July 10.
"The pharmacy profession must do better to help raise health within our communities," Dr. Stefas said. "We need to support our patients across their whole healthcare journey, acting as a healthcare navigator, supporting their health and wellness."
Providers and patients expect pharmacies to prepare their prescription and have it ready for pick up, but also educate patients on the medications, but that isn't always happening. Instead, some patients face barriers like prior authorization, special handling requirements and prices they cannot afford.
"These hurdles create gaps in care. All of this is unacceptable," he said. "This issue is part of a broader problem of unequal healthcare access that has persisted in many regions for decades, and pharmacies have not taken adequate steps to address these inequities."
Currently, pharmacists' reimbursements are transactional and there is no financial incentive to drive better patient outcomes. To drive better outcomes, pharmacists should gain provider status. This would allow pharmacies to bill for more services outside of dispensing medication and improve patient-centered care. Additional services could include discussing appropriate health screenings, preventative care like vaccines, diet and exercise recommendations, guidance on medication use, research and apply manufacturer co-pay assistance programs, and support the prior authorization process on the patient's behalf.
"Pharmacies have the potential to be integral to the solution," Dr. Stefas said. "It should be part of their role. But this requires a shift from a purely transactional approach to one that prioritizes patient care and community health."