The Evolving Pharmacy Landscape Paving the Way for Non-Traditional Roles

While pharmacists have been increasingly recognized for their expertise on providing services like immunizations and medication management, they continue to operate with lesser authority compared with physicians and other advanced practice providers within the US health care system.

However, many pharmacists around the country have found ways to both find fulfillment in their work and advance professionally and financially within the pharmacy space. Despite regulatory framework and silos prohibiting expansion of scope, pharmacists are tapping into their innovative and entrepreneurial spirits to make themselves known within health care.

“I knew, with my strengths, that being an entrepreneur or teaching was really where I belong, and I used that,” Ashley Kay Pendrick, PharmD, owner of Prosper Rx Consulting, told Drug Topics. “With a growing team, we've evolved into a vast array of those clinical services, from not only business coaching and starting pharmacists from the ground up, but also with our pharm-relief for health systems to then provide the bridge between doing good and helping to provide patient care.”

Throughout the beginning of her career, Pendrick found herself unfulfilled and was not taking advantage of her full potential to provide the clinical services she knew that she could facilitate. Years later, she is now operating Prosper Rx Consulting, helping other pharmacies, pharmacy groups, pharmacists, and even other stakeholders throughout health care.

Listen along to Drug Topics’ conversation with Pendrick as she dives deep into the world of pharmacy consulting and how avenues within this space can lead to a variety of opportunities for aspiring pharmacists.

Stay tuned for weekly podcast episodes on Over the Counter every Thursday afternoon. Check out our previous episode with Hashim Zaibak, PharmD, founder and CEO of Hayat Pharmacy. He joined us to discuss the importance of vaccination during National Immunization Awareness Month as well as the pivotal role community pharmacies play in administering them.

READ MORE: Navigating Legal, Billing Challenges in Pharmacists’ Clinical Services

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