Pharmacists Bridge Care Gaps for Rural Wound Care Patients

Community pharmacists, often the most accessible health care professionals, are emerging as pivotal players in frontline wound care. As health care systems across the country grapple with provider shortages, long wait times, and overburdened emergency departments, pharmacists are stepping beyond the traditional role of dispensing medications to offer clinical services that can prevent complications before they start.

In this interview, Nadia Maqbool Ahmad, PharmD, District Engagement Lead Pharmacist at Walgreens, reflects on the growing role of pharmacy-led wound care and how early guidance can change the trajectory of seemingly minor injuries. A small cut, burn, or scrape—if treated promptly and correctly—can heal quickly and uneventfully. But when ignored or mismanaged, these everyday injuries can progress to infections, require more intensive treatment, and even contribute to avoidable hospital visits. Positioned in the heart of communities, pharmacists are uniquely placed to intervene at that critical early stage.

Ahmad explores how evolving models of care, including digital health tools and telehealth, are expanding what pharmacists can do for patients with wounds. From reviewing photos of healing injuries to advising on dressings, topical treatments, and warning signs that warrant a doctor’s visit, pharmacists are increasingly acting as accessible touchpoints in a fragmented system. This is especially vital in rural or underserved areas, where wound care specialists and clinics may be scarce.

At the same time, pharmacists are already delivering vaccinations, chronic disease management, and testing and treatment services—expanding their role as clinical providers. Pharmacist-led wound care is a natural extension of their expertise in medication management, patient education, and preventive care.

READ MORE: Wound Care Resource Center

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