Pharmacists Play Key Role in Closing Health Literacy Gaps

Pharmacists are among the most trusted and accessible members of the health care team, yet their ability to address health literacy is often overlooked. Every patient interaction provides an opportunity to ensure that information is clear, understandable, and actionable.

One of the biggest challenges in health care is the gap between what clinicians say and what patients truly understand. Medical jargon often slips into everyday conversations, making instructions harder to follow. If patients leave without fully grasping what to do, it becomes much harder for them to manage their treatment plans.

Pharmacists are well positioned to bridge this gap. Their daily responsibilities focus on accuracy and safety, but the final and most important step is often communication. Taking just a moment to check for understanding, whether through plain language or a quick teach-back method, can make all the difference. Even a short conversation can build confidence, reduce confusion, and prevent errors.

The reality of pharmacy practice is that time pressures, administrative work, and heavy workloads can overshadow this counseling role. Still, every interaction is a chance to connect with patients in a meaningful way. By making communication an intentional priority, pharmacists can transform routine encounters into powerful moments of patient support.

Ultimately, helping patients understand their medications and care plans is not an extra step. It is at the heart of pharmacy’s impact on health and one of the most important ways pharmacists can improve outcomes in their communities.

On August 30, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is hosting the Health Literacy Summit, a pre-event meeting before the organization’s World Congress, which is taking place August 31 to September 3 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Health Literacy Summit will explore how pharmacists can improve patient outcomes through health literacy and will feature several expert lectures and panel discussions.

Drug Topics® recently sat down with Amy Howard, MS, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland and the health literacy coordinator at FIP, and Laura Sahm, PhD, professor of clinical pharmacy at University College Cork, who will be speaking at the event, to discuss why health literacy is such a critical but often overlooked aspect of patient care, especially in pharmacy.

READ MORE: Public Health Resource Center

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