American Pharmacists Month: Pharmacists’ Ability to Expand Community Impact

As physician shortages grow and therapies become more complex, pharmacists are taking on new roles in primary care, health systems, and specialty practice, but cost and coverage barriers can still keep patients from the treatments they need.

“As health care continues to evolve, I believe the long-term success of the pharmacy profession will depend on our ability to expand our clinical impact while also improving medication access and affordability for the patients we serve,” Alyssa Eisenberg, PharmD, clinical pharmacist at Shields Health Solutions, told Drug Topics®.

In an exclusive interview celebrating American Pharmacists Month, Eisenberg discussed where she sees pharmacists’ greatest opportunities to grow, from managing diabetes and hypertension to supporting patients on specialty and GLP-1 therapy. She also explains how pharmacists working alongside access, authorization, and financial support teams can help patients avoid delays and disruptions in care.

READ MORE: American Pharmacists Month: The Evolution from Dispensers to Care Managers

Drug Topics: What emerging roles or practice settings do you think will most expand the pharmacist’s impact on patient care in the coming years?

I believe some of the greatest opportunities for pharmacists to expand their impact on patient care will continue to be in primary care practices, health systems, and community health centers. As chronic diseases become more prevalent and physician shortages continue, pharmacists are equipped to help manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia while improving access to care. Beyond medication management, pharmacists can provide patient education, lifestyle counseling, and improve adherence to help patients achieve better outcomes.

I have seen the impact pharmacists can make through programs that extend care beyond traditional specialty pharmacy services. At Shields Health Solutions, our non-specialty services provide patients taking medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists with clinical education, medication support, and ongoing engagement.

These programs demonstrate how pharmacists can expand access to personalized care, particularly for patients who might not otherwise receive that level of individualized support.

Drug Topics: What challenges facing the pharmacy profession today do you believe are most important to address for its long-term success?

From my experience as a pharmacist, one of the profession's key challenges is continuing to adapt to a rapidly evolving health care landscape. The pharmacist's role has expanded well beyond dispensing medications, and we are increasingly recognized as integral clinical care providers who help optimize therapy outcomes and improve patient care.

At the same time, some of the more critical challenges our profession must address are the logistical and financial barriers patients face when accessing treatment. Throughout my career, I have seen how medication cost, insurance requirements, and other access challenges can delay treatment or create disruptions in care. These obstacles can have a significant impact on patient outcomes if they are not addressed effectively.

My work at Shields Health Solutions has reinforced the value of pharmacists being integrated within a broader team. By collaborating closely with other team members whose expertise includes coordinating access and benefits for prescription medications, authorization, and financial support, we are working to remove the barriers that might have otherwise prevented patients from receiving their therapies. As health care continues to evolve, I believe the long-term success of the pharmacy profession will depend on our ability to expand our clinical impact while also improving medication access and affordability for the patients we serve.

READ MORE: American Pharmacists Month Resource Center