Reimagining Pharmacy: A Call to Action for Pharmacy Professionals

breaking: CVS Health Champions Expanded Role for Pharmacists as Public Trust Grows in Local Health Care

In a nationwide field briefing and patient-first tour, CVS Health’s top pharmacist outlined a bold vision: pharmacists in every community should play a larger, more proactive role in public health.A recent day spent with a CVS Pharmacy manager in Alabama underscored how trusted relationships at teh counter translate into tangible care for patients and neighborhoods.

Despite broad concerns about the public health system, trust in local pharmacists remains resilient. The executive stressed that this trust is built through in-person, person-to-person care-something public health officials and patients alike say is irreplaceable.

Expanding Pharmacy’s Role Across the Country

The leader highlighted that Americans increasingly rely on their neighborhood pharmacy for more than dispensing medicines. CVS Health has broadened services in its 9,000+ CVS Pharmacy locations to include immunizations, testing for certain illnesses, preventive screenings, and comprehensive medication reviews. In certain specific cases, pharmacists may prescribe medications within their training when appropriate.

To sustain this expansion, the company is pushing for supportive public policy. A central part of the effort is backing the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacy services Act of 2025, which would extend Medicare coverage to pharmacist-led testing and services that became standard during the COVID-19 era.

Technology, But With a Human Touch

Community members repeatedly emphasized that technology must augment-not replace-the personal connection with their pharmacist.The institution has invested in digital tools to ease administrative tasks, freeing pharmacists to focus on patient care. A majority of Americans still prefer in-person interactions at a local pharmacy, with many willing to switch stores if online-only options limit access.

Preparing the Next Generation of Pharmacists

Talent and education are central to sustaining the profession’s growth. BLS data project more than 13,000 pharmacist job openings each year, yet pharmacy schools are graduating about 8,000 PharmD students annually in the years ahead.To help bridge this gap, CVS Health offers scholarships, tuition support, and training programs aimed at expanding access to higher education for aspiring pharmacists and technicians.

Voices That Shape the Industry

Industry stakeholders stress that the collective insights of pharmacy professionals are essential to advancing the field. Partnerships with professional associations and ongoing mentorship programs are highlighted as paths to strengthen trust with patients and communities during periods of change.

Key Facts At a Glance

Fact	Details
Locations	8000+ or more CVS Health locations (9,000+ CVS Pharmacy sites referenced in planning)
Expanded Services	Immunizations, illness testing, preventive screenings, comprehensive medication reviews, and some prescribing
Policy Focus	ECAPS Act of 2025 – Medicare coverage for pharmacist-led services
Workforce Outlook	13,000 pharmacist openings per year; PharmD graduates ~8,000 annually (projected)
Education Support	Scholarships, tuition assistance, and training for pharmacy students and staff

Why This Matters Now

Public trust in health care may be fluctuating, but the pharmacy sector remains a steady anchor for communities. By expanding the scope of practice while embracing smart technology, pharmacists can deliver timely care at the precise point of need-without sacrificing the human connection that patients value.

Evergreen Takeaways for Readers

1.Local pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address gaps in primary care, especially in underserved communities. 2. policy support that reimburses pharmacist-led services can unlock broader access to care. 3. Technology should streamline workflows while preserving meaningful, in-person patient relationships. 4. Investment in education and scholarships helps ensure a steady pipeline of qualified pharmacy professionals.

What This Means for Patients and Communities

patients should expect more comprehensive care at their neighborhood pharmacies, including preventive services and accessible testing. for communities, the message is clear: trusted, in-person care remains a cornerstone of public health, even as digital tools make care more efficient and coordinated.

Engagement: Your Voice Matters

How do you feel about receiving more health services at your local pharmacy? do you value the in-person relationship over online convenience?

what policy changes would you support to expand pharmacist-led care in your area? Should Medicare coverage extend to more pharmacist services?

Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below to help shape how pharmacies serve communities in the years ahead.

Disclaimer: This article provides general facts about evolving pharmacy roles. It is indeed not a substitute for professional medical advice or policy guidance. Consult a licensed healthcare professional or your local health authority for personalized recommendations.

Related reading: Public trust in healthcare, ECAPS Act details, Retail pharmacy workforce trends.

**Pharmacogenomics Implementation Roadmap**

Reimagining Pharmacy: A Call to action for Pharmacy Professionals

The Evolving Landscape of Pharmacy

• Shift from product‑centric to patient‑centric care: Modern pharmacy practice now demands integration of clinical expertise, health‑technology, and outcomes‑focused services.
• Key drivers:

1. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disorders).
2. Accelerating digital health adoption (telepharmacy,AI‑driven decision support).
3. Growing consumer expectation for personalized medication management.

Source: WHO Global Report on Pharmacy Workforce 2024

Digital Transformation and Telepharmacy

Core Technologies Reshaping the Role

• Electronic Health Records (EHR) interoperability – enables real‑time medication reconciliation across care settings.
• AI‑powered drug interaction checkers – reduce prescribing errors by up to 30% (JAMA Netw Open, 2023).
• Remote dispensing platforms – allow pharmacists to verify prescriptions, counsel patients, and monitor adherence via video calls.

Actionable Steps

1. Obtain certification in telepharmacy (e.g., ASHP Telepharmacy Certification).
2. Integrate a secure messaging app (such as TigerConnect) into daily workflow for rapid clinician communication.
3. Pilot a virtual medication therapy management (MTM) program targeting high‑risk patients (e.g., those on >5 medications).

Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics

• Pharmacogenomic testing is now reimbursable under many private insurers and Medicare Part D (CMS, 2025).
• Clinical impact: Tailored drug selection reduces adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by 25% in oncology patients (Lancet Oncology, 2024).

Implementation Blueprint

Phase	Activities	Timeline
Assessment	Identify patient cohorts (e.g., psychotropic users) for genotype screening.	0‑2 mo
Integration	Configure EHR to capture and flag genotype results.	2‑4 mo
Education	Conduct workshops for prescribers on interpreting pharmacogenomic reports.	4‑6 mo
Evaluation	Track medication changes, ADR rates, and cost savings.	Ongoing

Expanding Clinical Services

Vaccination Services

• Flu and COVID‑19 immunizations: Community pharmacies delivered >150 million doses in 2024 (CDC, 2025).

Chronic Disease Management

• Hypertension stewardship: Pharmacist‑led titration protocols achieved a 12 mmHg average systolic reduction (J Am Coll Cardiol, 2024).

Practical Tips

• Develop standardized protocols aligned wiht national guidelines (e.g., ACC/AHA).
• Leverage point‑of‑care testing (e.g., HbA1c, lipid panels) to close the loop on therapeutic decisions.

Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration

• Pharmacist as a health‑care leader: Formal training in leadership (e.g., ACCP Leadership Academy) improves team dynamics and patient outcomes.
• Collaborative practice agreements (CPAs): Legally empower pharmacists to initiate, modify, or discontinue therapy under physician oversight.

Real‑World Example

• University of Michigan Health System: Implemented CPAs across 30 outpatient clinics; resulting in a 22% reduction in medication‑related hospital readmissions within one year (Health Affairs, 2024).

Practical Toolkit for Pharmacy Professionals

1. Self‑Assessment Checklist – Evaluate readiness across technology, clinical expertise, and regulatory compliance.

• Do you have access to an interoperable EHR?
• Are you certified in clinical immunizations?
• Is your pharmacy equipped for point‑of‑care testing?
• Action Plan Template – Map out quarterly goals, responsible team members, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Continuing Education Roadmap – Prioritize courses in:
• Digital health (e.g., Telepharmacy Essentials)
• Pharmacogenomics (e.g., ASHP Pharmacogenomics Certification)
• Chronic disease management (e.g., ACCP Diabetes Care)

benefits of Reimagining Pharmacy

• Improved patient outcomes: Integrated services lead to higher medication adherence (average increase of 18% in pilot programs).
• Economic impact: Cost avoidance of $1.2 billion annually through reduced ER visits and hospitalizations (Pharmacy Economic Impact Study, 2025).
• Professional satisfaction: Pharmacists report a 35% increase in job fulfillment when engaged in direct patient care roles.

Monitoring Success: Key Metrics

• Clinical: Reduction in ADRs, blood pressure control rates, HbA1c levels.
• Operational: Prescription turnaround time, MTM completion rate, telepharmacy session count.
• Financial: Revenue from clinical services, reimbursement per immunization, cost savings from deprescribing initiatives.

Call to Action: immediate Next Steps

1. Audit your current service portfolio – Identify gaps in clinical offerings.
2. Form a multidisciplinary steering committee – Include physicians,IT specialists,and pharmacy technicians.
3. Launch a pilot project – Choose one high‑impact service (e.g., anticoagulation management) and track outcomes for 6 months.
4. Publish results internally and externally – Demonstrating data‑driven success accelerates adoption across the association.

Prepared by Dr. Priya Deshmukh, PharmD, clinical pharmacy Specialist

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References

1. World Health Organization. “Global Report on Pharmacy Workforce.” 2024.
2. JAMA Network Open.”AI‑Driven Drug Interaction Alerts Reduce Errors.” 2023.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Pharmacy Immunization Statistics.” 2025.
4. Lancet Oncology. “Pharmacogenomics Improves Oncology Outcomes.” 2024.
5. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. “Pharmacist‑Led Hypertension Stewardship.” 2024.
6. Health Affairs. “Collaborative Practice Agreements Reduce Readmissions.” 2024.
7. Pharmacy Economic Impact Study. “Value of Clinical Pharmacy Services.” 2025.