How The Pharmacist’s Expanding Role Closes Care Gaps This Winter

As the colder months approach, bringing with them a predictable rise in seasonal illnesses and new health challenges, the resilience and expertise of our pharmacists become more vital than ever. The winter season places immense pressure on the entire health care system, yet pharmacists remain the most accessible touchpoint for patients seeking guidance, preventive measures, and support.

From administering influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations to managing chronic conditions exacerbated by the cold and providing critical advice on OTC care, pharmacists are tirelessly working to keep their communities healthy. They effectively mitigate the strain on emergency departments and primary care offices, serving as accessible, trusted resources during peak illness times.

Amid rising vaccine hesitancy and evolving guidelines, our cover story by Ashley Gallagher explores the pharmacist’s critical role in dispelling misinformation and expanding immunization access. It provides an update on the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations, including changes to the meningococcal, RSV, and COVID-19 schedules, and highlights how pharmacists’ accessibility and trusted communication are essential to closing key vaccination gaps.

Keith Loria also discusses the pharmacist’s vital role as a front line in preventing and managing cardiometabolic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. He details how accessible in-pharmacy screenings, point-of-care testing, and the use of clinical risk assessment tools uniquely position pharmacists to identify at-risk patients early and guide essential lifestyle and medication interventions.

Laura Stiles will explore the most common patient questions regarding pain management, emphasize the danger of “doubling up” on OTC and prescription analgesics, and explain how pharmacists are uniquely positioned to intervene with crucial nonpharmacologic advice and patient referrals for more serious symptoms. In observance of Antibiotic Awareness Week in November, we will also highlight the essential, yet often underutilized, role of community pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship. Drawing on recent research, we examine how pharmacists, through counseling and point-of-care testing, can combat the global public health threat of antibiotic resistance and explore the key financial and structural barriers hindering the wider adoption of these critical interventions.

The pharmacist’s role will continue to expand as patient needs continue to grow. As the most accessible health care providers, it is essential that pharmacists practice at the top of their licenses. Thank you for reading.