Preparing for Evolving Pharmacist Roles

At the beginning of 2020, we provided a look into the upcoming trends that will shape how the profession moves forward in the year ahead. But what if we dig even deeper? What new gaps will pharmacists need to fill?

Walk into a pharmacy in 2030 and you may find that the pharmacist’s role has completely transformed. Our cover story for this issue explores what the future will bring as pharmacists move beyond their dispensing duties and continue to step out from behind the counter, exploring the evolution of new roles and specialized niches emerging in the profession.

March is National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, and this issue provides an update on multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment options, management tips, and what’s in the pipeline. Approximately 1 million individuals are living with MS in the United States. Pharmacists can play an integral role in managing the disease in their patients.

In preparation for allergy season, in this issue Frieda Wiley, PharmD, discusses recommended products and drugs for patients looking to relieve their allergy-related symptoms, as well as counseling tips and techniques for optimizing these treatments. In addition, pharmacists looking to add diabetes care to their expertise will find advice on how to turn their pharmacy into a place where patients seek out care and counseling for their disease.

Feeling like you could use a change in your profession or you’re just not the right fit for a current job? This issue also features an article on how to make a career pivot to explore a different path in pharmacy. Pharmacy managers and educators offer expert advice on transitioning into different areas of the field–sharing knowledge that is applicable to both graduating students and established pharmacists.

It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of the job; sometimes you just need to reflect on what motivated you to join the profession in the first place. Karen Berger, PharmD, asked pharmacists from across the country, and a variety of settings, why they became a pharmacist. Their answers are refreshing and motivating.

As Laura Dee, PharmD, clinical pharmacist, said in the article, “pharmacy as a profession is very versatile-–you can do research, or work in a hospital, industry, or retail. You are also learning something new every day-–as our society evolves, so does our profession.”

Thank you for reading and continue to follow us on DrugTopics.com for more.