From Apothecaries to Frontline Providers: Community Pharmacists Are Essential to Modern Care

The pharmacy profession originated in ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and China, where early healers and herbalists prepared natural remedies to care for the sick within their communities. Over time, as the practice became more formalized, these practitioners were eventually known as apothecarists before the title evolved into what we most commonly recognize today as pharmacists. Across these many transitions, the heart of the profession has remained the same. Whether we are dispensing medications, consulting patients on OTC therapies, conducting point-of-care testing, or administering lifesaving vaccines, pharmacists continue to be among the most trusted health care professionals.¹

In the community pharmacy setting, we do not see our patients only once or twice a year; we see them on a regular basis. Our patients rely on us for advice, feedback, and steady guidance. They count on us to bridge the gap between a brief 15- to 20-minute physician's appointment and the realities of managing new medications, understanding potential adverse effects, and learning what to expect next.

The US health care system has been strained for decades, and since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the pressure has only intensified. Patients frequently report long wait times for medical appointments, with many practices overwhelmed and unable to accept new patients. As pharmacists, we have stepped into those gaps. In many situations, patients no longer need to wait for hours in urgent care or the emergency department to be evaluated for strep throat, influenza, or a urinary tract infection and then receive a prescription. Although state laws differ, many states continue expanding pharmacists’ clinical roles to meet the growing needs of the public.

The more the health care system embraces pharmacists as integral members of the care team, the better the outcomes for patients. Pharmacists are not professionals who take only a semester or two of pharmacology. We are the medication experts. Because most care plans involve prescription medications to manage chronic disease states, acute illness, and even terminal conditions, it is both logical and necessary for pharmacists to engage fully in every level of health care delivery.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a clear example of how community pharmacists can meet patients where they are. According to the report Community Retail Pharmacies’ Experience During the COVID-19 Response,² more than 163 million COVID-19 vaccinations were administered in community pharmacies between December 2020 and mid-July 2021. This does not include the significant number administered by independent community pharmacies, which played a critical role in early vaccine distribution.

When we look back on this moment in history, the profession’s response should not come as a surprise. For generations, pharmacists were known as “druggists,” the trusted professionals families turned to when illness struck. At our core, pharmacists have always been healers, and today we continue to influence the lives of our patients in meaningful ways.

Whether patients visit a retail clinic at a chain pharmacy or turn to their independent community pharmacy, they receive timely and often walk-in care that avoids long scheduling delays. Although pharmacists are not diagnosing complex chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions or diabetes, we are increasingly assisting with straightforward acute illnesses. This saves patients time and money and eases the burden on overextended medical practices.

When pharmacists triage and determine whether a patient needs further evaluation from a physician, we help reduce strain on the system and improve patient outcomes. Some independent pharmacies have already expanded services by incorporating HIV and hepatitis C testing. Others now offer birth control counseling and are authorized to prescribe certain contraceptives. In some states, pharmacists practicing as clinical pharmacist practitioners can prescribe medications for select chronic conditions and controlled substances under defined protocols and board-approved agreements.

As our profession continues to advance and the US health care system continues to evolve, pharmacists across the country will increasingly obtain provider-status privileges. This progress will benefit patients and strengthen the health care system. Pharmacists remain the most accessible health care professionals in the nation, and we are uniquely positioned to support both our patients and the broader health care landscape.

REFERENCES

1. Hippensteele A. The evolution of pharmacy from dispensing to a site of care. Pharmacy Times. May 2, 2034. Accessed January 2, 2026. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-evolution-of-pharmacy-from-dispensing-to-site-of-care

2. Community Retail Pharmacies’ Experience During the COVID-19 Response. National Association of Chain Drug Stores. November 2021. Accessed January 2, 2026. https://www.nacds.org/pdfs/pharmacy/2021/CommunityRetailPharmaciesExperience-during-the-COVID-19-Response-Successes-and-Lessons-Learned-to-Date.pdf