Reinventing Care to Manage and Prevent Chronic Conditions

As the health care landscape continues to shift, pharmacists continue to provide and support the management and prevention of chronic diseases for patients. These conditions impact millions of lives and account for a significant portion of our national health care expenditures. As the role of the pharmacist continues to evolve from dispenser to clinical care partner, their unparalleled accessibility and deep expertise in pharmacotherapy position them as a vital force in helping patients navigate complex treatment plans for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. They are on the front lines, not only ensuring medication adherence but also offering crucial education, performing preventive screenings, and providing the consistent support that empowers patients to actively manage their long-term health.

By championing their expanded role and integrating their expertise more fully into collaborative care models, pharmacists can deliver more personalized, preventive, and, ultimately, more successful care to our communities. Their commitment is helping to build a future where individuals with chronic conditions can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

This issue highlights how pharmacists are shifting from product-focused dispensing to a patient-centered model for managing chronic disease. Bob Kronemyer examined 3 core strategies—medication therapy management, collaborative practice agreements, and community partnerships—that empower pharmacists to leverage their clinical expertise and accessibility to drive healthier patient outcomes. Shantel Upshaw Houston, PharmD, also shares actionable strategies for moving beyond identifying systemic challenges like pharmacy deserts and the digital divide to actively building bridges through empathy, collaboration, and a focus on shared values.

Additionally, Jake Galdo, PharmD, and Tripp Logan, PharmD, challenge the notion that "all pharmacies are the same," arguing for the unique value of community pharmacies as integrated health care partners. At the Total Pharmacy Solutions Summit Fall 2025, they discussed how pharmacies can differentiate themselves by delivering personalized care, addressing social determinants of health, and adopting new contracting models that financially reward superior patient outcomes.

Findings from a major study by Athena Rae Roesler, MPH, and Anna Lin-Schweitzer, MPH, on expanding pharmacies' role as an essential health care partner are also shared. They highlight the potential for pharmacists to alleviate $4.5 trillion in health care costs and address primary care shortages by delivering more accessible services, particularly in chronic disease management, mental health, and reproductive health.

Lastly, Saeed Aboelzahab presents a road map for independent pharmacies to leverage the growing Medicare Advantage OTC benefits market, a $5 billion annual untapped opportunity. Aboelzahab explores practical strategies for diversifying revenue, enhancing patient services, and effectively integrating the necessary technology to compete with larger chains in this rapidly expanding segment of health care.

Thank you for reading.