Chain Pharmacist Leads the Way in Patient Care Innovation

From interning at the pharmacy chain during his PharmD program, to becoming a pharmacy manager, to joining the clinical services team, to managing immunization and clinical programs, Adam J. James, PharmD, has carved out a rewarding career at Rite Aid.

In his current role, James is responsible for "making Rite Aid's immunization program successful." This involves developing policies, procedures, and educational materials to keep pharmacists informed about vaccine recommendations and best practices and ensuring they can administer as many vaccines as possible. Beyond immunization, James manages the company's travel health consultation program, cold storage monitoring, and pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, PEP) programs.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the job, he said, is the opportunity to educate and empower pharmacists across Rite Aid's extensive network.

Looking ahead, James believes that community pharmacists have a tremendous opportunity to expand their role in patient care. With the increasing complexity of health care and the growing trust in pharmacists, there is a greater need for their expertise in areas such as medication therapy management, point-of-care testing, and chronic disease management.

In his interview with Drug Topics, James discussed his leadership role at Rite Aid, including innovations, patient care initiatives, and learnings from chain pharmacy.

Our coverage of American Pharmacists Month continues all October. To view all of our interviews, visit our American Pharmacists Month landing resource center.