At some point in life all of us fall ill and require medications, making interactions with pharmacists inevitable. Despite their essential role, most people don’t realize the value of pharmacists and their skills are often underutilized. More than half of all pharmacists in the US are licensed doctors of pharmacy who have undergone rigorous training comparable to the classroom clinical instruction that medical doctors receive. Yet, most people simply see them as workers who dispense pills. Thankfully, this dynamic is rapidly changing with the rise of digital technology, which enables pharmacists to play an increasingly important role in healthcare delivery.
5 Ways In Which Technology Has Transformed The Pharmacist’s Role
1. They Are Essential For All Online Pharmacies
Any reputable online pharmacy operating in the US must have a licensed pharmacist to perform a variety of functions, including checking the validity of prescriptions, providing patients with guidance for safe use, and answering any questions that patients may have. Licensed pharmacists undergo at least four years of studies with a comprehensive curriculum that gives them expertise in pharmacotherapy and pharmacokinetics, among other related topics. This makes them vital for the operation of legal online pharmacies, where they counsel patients on the efficacy of medications and medical devices, and protect them from counterfeit products or unsafe use of medications. Pharmacists can also help patients in preventive care or with minor illnesses, advising them on non-prescription medications and supplements.
Pharmacists Can Better Support Health Monitoring and Adherence
Advances in digital technology and increased adoption of digital health systems has made it easier for pharmacists to play an important role in patient care, with pharmacists also included in multi-specialty teams. With their training, they are best equipped to utilize digital tools to interact with patients remotely, not just answering questions, but also monitoring real-time data that allows doctors to make well-informed medical decisions. Pharmacists now use medication management apps, remote monitoring systems, and teleconsultations to influence patients’ health behaviors and encourage better adherence. This improves treatment outcomes and it also enables easier identification of health trends and emerging threats so that the health system can deliver higher quality patient-centric care.
Pharmacists Can Play A Greater Role As Health Coaches in Chronic Disease Management
People with chronic diseases can access a variety of patient support programs that often come as digital companions to pharmaceutical medications and products. They are ideally suited to help patients find and use these tools that are aimed at improving disease management and responsiveness to therapy. To this end, pharmacists can use data collected from apps and wearable devices to monitor the progression of chronic diseases, gauge treatment efficacy, and report adverse events. Their insights can play an increasingly critical role for healthcare teams to make personalized decisions that are more responsive to patient needs. Some research has already shown the benefits of pharmacist-led care in the management of long-term diseases such as diabetes.
Pharmacists Are Able To Help Patients With Medication Accessibility
Many patients struggle to manage the cost of medications, instead reducing their dosage or stopping treatment without their doctor’s approval. Some patients also turn to imported drugs and alternative medications that can pose significant health risks. This problem can be effectively dealt with if more patients had access to generic alternatives that contain the same active ingredients. That’s where licensed pharmacists have a role to play. Although many online pharmacies sell generic medications, patients don’t have much awareness and need guidance from pharmacists. Pharmacists can help point patients towards affordable medications and raise awareness about generics so that medications are accessible to all patients.
Digital Technology Enables Pharmacists to Facilitate Early Disease Detection
The critical role of pharmacists in the diagnostic process was fully appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients depended on guidance from pharmacists on the appropriate use of test kits and proper interpretation of test results. With technological advances in recent years, pharmacists have access to a range of point-of-care testing tools that enable rapid and early screening for numerous health conditions, including chronic and infectious diseases. Pharmacists also serve as the main source of information for patients, recommending appropriate next steps when required. Additionally, pharmacists are increasingly involved in public health initiatives, such as health education programs, broadening their impact on community health and wellness.
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This post brought to you by Atif Sharif
Photo: iStock
