Alexa
How do you think the role of a pharmacist will change over the next 5 years?
I ask this question because I am currently a pharmacy student at Western New England University. The role of pharmacists has transformed over several years from that of a dispenser of medications to a vital health care team member that protects and promotes public health by educating and communicating with patients. Years ago ethical requirements prohibited discussions between pharmacists and patients regarding prescriptions composition or purpose. However, pharmacists no longer have this restraint and have become such a substantial source of knowledge for patients. Many aspects of the pharmaceutical field has changed over the years and we are becoming accustomed to the ways in which pharmacies operate at this time. The pharmaceutical field is an ever changing profession and in four years there will be many more changes that we will have to be prepared for. As we grow into experienced pharmacists, we will be constantly adjusting to changes and new discoveries which will require us to continue learning in order to better care for patients. #pharmacy #pharmacist #pharmacy-operations
2 answers
Janna Afanasjeva, PharmD, BCPS
Janna’s Answer
I do think that pharmacists will be involved more and more in managing patients' medications. Other healthcare professionals and regulators are starting to recognize that pharmacists bring not only dispensing skills but also knowledge of medications (eg, medication interactions, appropriateness of specific medications for a condition, etc). Pharmacists are also getting more opportunities to be involved in more non-traditional roles such as medical communications, pharmacy informatics, management, as well as a myriad of other options.
Julie Hamra
Julie’s Answer
I see momentum for pharmacists playing a more prominent role in health care delivery. The policy environment supporting the critical role pharmacists play in health care has been growing over the years, and with a greater need for trained health care workers across the globe come the opportunity for pharmacists to step in more.