Pharmacists Can Reduce HIV Stigma, Increase Access to Care

With considerable strides made in the HIV care and prevention spaces, stigmatization around the virus, its symptoms, and the people most at risk continue throughout society. However, with pharmacist’s patient-facing positioning and access within the community, they are some of the most notable providers available in the health care continuum to address these stigmas.

“I think that one of the main culprits is just misinformation. People [are] just not being adequately informed about how effective the HIV prevention and treatment options are,” Kenric B. Ware, PharmD, MBA, AAHIVP, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice at Mercer University, told Drug Topics. “And candidly, I really do believe that a lot of the HIV conversations tend to still kind of be happening in isolation...hence that stigma can persist due to exclusion, albeit it's not intentional.”

From societal barriers to the perspectives of various health care providers, stigma in the HIV space is nothing new.

In this episode, Ware explores the immense progress health care has made for patients living with HIV, discussing both the advancements in treatment options as well as the quality of life among these patients. Furthermore, he addressed the stigmas that persist despite these significant strides and how pharmacists play a significant role—along with all other health care providers—in dispelling misinformation and eliminating stigma.

Recapping insights he shared from a webinar titled “Safe Spaces: Pharmacist-Led HIV Stigma Reduction & Harm Reduction Models”—hosted by the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA)—Ware joined Drug Topics on the most recent episode of Over the Counter.

Stay tuned for weekly podcast episodes of Over the Counter powered by Drug Topics. Check out our most recent episode with Ron Lanton III, Esq, partner at Lanton Law PLLC. He discussed what pharmacists can expect as policies and actions stemming from the Most Favored Nation drug pricing policy continue.

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