Ashley Gallagher, MA

Medicare’s new GLP‑1 bridge program launches soon, easing access without shortages, and pharamcists are at the focal point of these transitions.

By late February 2026, national data from the CDC reveal a test positivity rate of 9.1%, the highest recorded for the entire season at that point.

CMS pilots BALANCE and GLP-1 Bridge models to widen Medicare/Medicaid obesity drug coverage, spotlighting pharmacists’ role in access and safe therapy.

A PQA program shows how value-based pharmacy contracts, shared metrics, and better data boost immunizations and patient outcomes beyond dispensing.

GLP-1 prescriptions surge to nearly 8% of fills, fueled by weight-loss demand.

FDA clears Langlara interchangeable insulin glargine, enabling pharmacy substitution for Lantus and widening affordable basal insulin access.

Because pharmacists can review both prescription and refill histories, they are uniquely positioned to spot patterns of underuse or overuse of allergy and asthma medications.

The FDA expands Auvelity for Alzheimer-related agitation, offering a first nonantipsychotic option backed by trials.

Drug pricing rules reshape pharmacy and manufacturer strategies, as transparency grows and 340B reforms intensify scrutiny.

Specialty pharmacy shifts toward holistic, empathetic care, easier oral therapies, and wider community access to advanced cell and gene treatments.

Pharmacy leaders face rapid change, which can boost agility and automate repetitive tasks.

These discussions focused on gaps in artificial intelligence, community-based advanced therapy, and demands of federal drug price negotiations.

FDA approves Caplyta to prevent schizophrenia relapse, cutting risk 63% with a stable metabolic profile.

Community pharmacists can help manage worsening wounds, coordinate rural care teams, and overcome time and scope limits to improve healing.

Pharmacies can use technology and artificial intelligence to cut specialty drug complexity, boost access and adherence, and help pharmacists guide patients.

Digital specialty pharmacy, AI-driven intent, and mega-blockbuster drugs reshape patient engagement, access, and long-term adherence strategies.

Pharmacy benefit manager reforms, gene therapy scale-up, artificial trust risks, and more reshape specialty pharmacy.

Real-time prescription pricing and auto-applied discounts cut pharmacy counter surprises, speed therapy, and free pharmacists for patient-focused care.

Lower patient caps shift costs to community pharmacies, fueling pharmacy benefit manager fees, mail-order growth, and pharmacy deserts.

Pharmacists can review medications that delay wound healing, helping patients choose safer care and avoid infections.

Researchers find Reddit posts provides a look at the real-world adverse effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

The 2026 guidance emphasizes that selecting newer and innovative agents should occur early, dependent on comorbidities of the patient.

A head-to-head trial shows a protein-based COVID-19 booster causes fewer adverse effects, boosting patient preference and aiding pharmacists.

Under a 12-month agreement, the Utah authorities granted companies permission to use generative AI to authorize medication refills for state residents.

FDA expands Tzield use to age 1 year to delay stage 3 type 1 diabetes, enabling earlier immune intervention.

Community pharmacists can spot chronic wound red flags, boost diabetes control, and guide prevention for faster healing and safer care.

Cloned pharmacy sites and fake GLP-1 weight-loss pens surge online, prompting federal crackdowns and urgent safety warnings for patients.

FDA approves Idvynso, a 2-drug HIV switch option for suppressed adults, supporting simpler care as people age with HIV and manage multiple conditions.