APhA2020 Virtual: Community Pharmacists Ready for Provider Status and Prescriptive Authority

A survey conducted by Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy found a high level of interest from community pharmacists in obtaining provider status and prescriptive authority, according to a poster published in the APhA2020 Virtual Poster Hall Gallery.

The study, which was led by Nika A. Hakim, PharmD; Nancy T. Williams, PharmD; and Lisa A. Appeddu, PhD, used a voluntary survey to evaluate pharmacists’ interest in gaining provider status and prescriptive authority, their confidence in being able to take on these additional responsibilities, and their perceived barriers in pursuing these duties. The survey was emailed to approximately 350 Oklahoma-licensed pharmacists who work at large community pharmacy chains, and to approximately 600 licensed members of the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association (OPhA), many of whom are community pharmacists.

The 3-part, 40-question survey was first distributed in late January of this year, and was sent with a reminder email in February. The research reported that the survey had 107 participants, with a 11% response rate. 64% of respondents worked at a large chain community pharmacy, while independent community pharmacy comprised 12% of responses.

Data overwhelmingly showed interest from pharmacists in gaining provider status and prescriptive authority: 93.5% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that provider status is important for the future of the profession, and 81.3% at least agreed that they are prepared to practice as a provider now.

Eighty-six percent responded as being “confident” or “very confident” in their ability to prescribe medication under a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) and autonomously. The lowest point of confidence was in providing point-of-care testing services.

Participants cited the most oppressive barriers to becoming a provider: not enough time, inadequate reimbursement, and legal liability concerns.

According to the authors, the study was not adequately powered; the survey required 274 responses but obtained 107.

Authors of the study cited improved compensation as possible consequences of expanding the extent of pharmacy practice: “Pharmacists have been providing clinical services to patients for years but cannot receive adequate and/or consistent compensation due to non-regulation as a provider in the Social Security Act,” they wrote.

“Expansion of the pharmacist scope of practice with provider status and prescriptive authority, ranging from prescribing under a collaborate practice agreement (CPA) to prescribing autonomously, could increase the likelihood that pharmacists would receive appropriate compensation,” they continued.

References:

1. Hakim N, Williams NT, Appeddu LA. Statewide survey of community pharmacist perspectives on acquiring provider status and prescriptive authority. APhA2020 Virtual Poster Hall Gallery. Published online May 4, 2020. Accessed May 7, 2020.  https://vo-general.s3.amazonaws.com/1020956f-bfae-4cce-b325-d888f2c1dc89/d374a8ce-4f1d-48ce-ac6e-fc25eacb99ec?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ4PRWO26HAX3IOCA&Expires=1675011041&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Hakim%20APhA%20Annual%20poster%201.pdf%22&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&Signature=knmTp6ke9w47q%2FCVtgkZEQA7zvc%3D.