Pharmacist Integration in Health Care Team Improves Patient Access, Outcomes | ADA 2025

Through new technology and a better understanding of their capabilities, pharmacists are showing the ability to improve patients’ outcomes, access to medications, and overall care plans.

“We think there's really opportunities to ramp or scale these touch points on the team. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the physical location,” said Jon Easter, RPh, associate faculty director at the University of North Carolina Center for the Business of Health. “I shared an example in the presentation about a telehealth project that we worked on, where the physicians in the clinic refer diabetes patients in rural and underserved areas to the pharmacist. The pharmacist engaged that patient via telehealth in their home and were able to cover off on affordability medications and side effects and multiple regimens that they were trying to take on.”

From examples of how pharmacists’ integration can improve patients’ diabetes outcomes, to advancements in the pharmacists’ overall role within health care, Easter shared insights into the unique opportunities that have been laid out for pharmacists, especially in the diabetes space.

Easter caught up with Drug Topics to discuss his presentation, titled “Adding Pharmacists to the Team—Enhancing Access and Patient Engagement for Better Outcomes.”

“My message to all of us is, let's not just think about that team-based care in a clinic,” concluded Easter. “Let's think about virtual telehealth and other broad opportunities to engage that pharmacist on behalf of the physician with those patient touch points.”

Read more from our coverage of the ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions.

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