Opportunities to Expand Pharmacist Role Amid Current Federal, State Regulations

While several state governments have gradually introduced laws that expand their scope, many pharmacists around the country are forced to provide care within the confines of previously determined statutes. Despite a community of thousands of pharmacy advocates calling for expansion of scope, industry experts like Ashley Kay Pendrick, PharmD, believe pharmacists can get creative and find innovative ways to expand their scope of practice.

“The pharmacy boards are there to help protect patients—and our profession in a way—but their job is patient safety,” Pendrick told Drug Topics. “We've worked within the confines of the current landscape for [federal] and state regulations. What is already available to us, with collaborative practice agreements and even [this] state-by-state recognition of pharmacists as providers, there is really so much opportunity out there.”

Throughout our interview series with Pendrick, she discussed her work at Prosper Rx Consulting and gave her expertise on the best ways for pharmacists to expand their scope and enter less traditional but more fulfilling roles within the pharmacy industry.

“[The] consulting space and entrepreneur spirit, in a way, are growing, and I think that it’s a huge opportunity that more pharmacists should consider,” said Pendrick.

While Pendrick provided insights on the potential challenges stemming from legal regulations within the pharmacy industry, she painted a picture for pharmacists to help them understand that there are several career paths aside from traditional pharmacy clerks and medication dispensers.

READ MORE: Q&A: How Pharmacists Find Themselves in Non-Traditional Roles

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