Community Pharmacists Support Patients With Chronic Wounds

Chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries, are not like minor cuts that clear up in a few days. They are complex, long-lasting conditions that demand continuous attention, coordination among multiple providers, and vigilant self-care. Poorly controlled blood sugar, circulation problems, and lack of mobility can all slow healing and raise the risk of severe infection, hospitalization, or even amputation.

In this interview, Nadia Maqbool Ahmad, PharmD, District Engagement Lead Pharmacist at Walgreens, discusses the pharmacist’s role in chronic wound care. Patients often approach the pharmacy counter unsure whether what they’re seeing is serious—and grateful to find a professional who is both accessible and approachable.

The pharmacist’s role extends well beyond a quick product recommendation. They review medications, reinforce adherence, and stress the importance of regular home glucose monitoring for patients with diabetes. They counsel on daily foot inspections, proper footwear, and early reporting of even the smallest wounds. For those at risk of pressure injuries, they advise patients and caregivers on barrier creams, keeping skin clean and dry, and practical pressure-relief strategies—from repositioning schedules to supportive cushions and specialized mattresses.

By recognizing when a wound needs urgent medical evaluation and guiding patients to primary care providers, wound clinics, or specialists, community pharmacists are quietly reshaping what frontline wound care looks like.

READ MORE: Wound Care Resource Center

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