Specialty Pharmacist Transforms HIV Care Outside of the Pharmacy

On the most recent installment of Over the Counter, Drug Topics was joined by Cassandra Esperant, PharmD, AAHIVP, an HIV clinical pharmacist with the American Academy of HIV Medicine, to celebrate American Pharmacists Month. From her career path as a pharmacist to her work in the community, and more specifically within HIV care, Esperant discussed what it means to be a pharmacist.

“As a pharmacist, I have the opportunity to make an impact on each and every one of these patients that I meet. Every patient, I address them differently. So, it could be anything from [having] the opportunity to [making] sure that that person understands their state of health, and how I interact with them determines how they proceed moving forward,” she said.

Research and developments within the AIDS space has grown exponentially in the past few decades. Technology is expanding at a similar, if not faster, pace than developments in HIV research, and social media is one of the most useful technologies when it comes to advocacy and outreach. Esperant discussed her @ThePrEPandHIVPharmacist Instagram account and how it has helped relay education regarding HIV prevention.

Check out the full-length version of our discussion with Esperant and find out more about what keeps her motivated in her profession. Also, stay tuned for more from our discussions with pharmacists across the country who joined Drug Topics to celebrate American Pharmacists Month back in October.

To read more, visit our American Pharmacists Month resource center.