Rear Admiral Kelly Battese’s letter addresses a pressing need in our healthcare system: to unite healthcare professionals in the fight against health disparities. Rather than debating the scope of practice, we must recognize the value that each profession, including pharmacists, brings. Collaboration, not competition, is the key to improving health outcomes, especially for historically underserved communities.
The Growing Crisis of Health Disparities
In the U.S., racial and ethnic minority communities continue to bear the brunt of poor health outcomes. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS disproportionately affect Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American populations. For example, while HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for many Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals, these groups have the lowest rates of PrEP usage. Similarly, the life expectancy for American Indian and Alaska Native people remains the weakest of any racial or ethnic group in the country.
Systemic gaps in healthcare access and other social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of resources, often drive these disparities. Addressing these inequities requires more than traditional medical interventions; it requires integrating pharmacists, often the most accessible healthcare providers, into the more extensive healthcare system.
Pharmacists: An Underutilized Resource in Healthcare
Pharmacists have long played a crucial role in addressing healthcare needs. Their expertise extends far beyond dispensing medications. With six to eight years of rigorous education and clinical training, including over 1,700 hours of hands-on patient care experience, pharmacists are trained to specialize in areas like oncology, geriatrics, and ambulatory care. Many also complete residency programs, preparing them to manage complex patient conditions.
Despite this, pharmacists are often underutilized. They have the knowledge and expertise to help manage chronic diseases, ensure medication adherence, and prevent adverse drug events. The expanding scope of pharmacy practice in states like California, North Carolina, and Idaho has demonstrated that empowering pharmacists leads to better patient outcomes, particularly in underserved areas with limited access to healthcare.
Collaborative Practice: A Proven Model for Better Outcomes
Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs) between pharmacists and prescribers have proven highly effective in improving patient care. These agreements allow pharmacists to work alongside physicians to manage chronic conditions, improve medication use, and reduce hospital readmissions. The results have been precise: patient outcomes improve when pharmacists fully integrate into the healthcare team.
The United States Public Health Service’s 2019 report highlighted the success of these partnerships in chronic disease management. All 50 states now have legislation allowing pharmacists to enter CPAs, making healthcare more efficient and patient-centered. These collaborative efforts are essential for bridging gaps in care and addressing disparities in vulnerable populations.
Lessons from the Pandemic: Pharmacists on the Frontlines
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical role pharmacists play in our healthcare system. Pharmacists provided more than 350 million clinical interventions during the pandemic, including vaccinations, test-to-treat services, and antibody therapeutics. They were often the first—and sometimes the only—healthcare professionals patients could easily access.
This experience demonstrated that pharmacists are not just dispensers of medication but integral healthcare providers who can step in during times of crisis. Their contributions during the pandemic have shown that expanding their scope of practice can alleviate strain on the healthcare system and provide timely, life-saving care to millions.
The Call for Partnership, Not Competition
The concerns raised by the American Medical Association (AMA) about “scope creep” are understandable—protecting the quality and safety of patient care is paramount. However, expanding pharmacy practice should not be viewed as a threat but an opportunity. Pharmacists are not seeking to replace physicians but collaborate with them to provide more comprehensive care.
With a projected shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians by 2030, we cannot afford to overlook the contributions that pharmacists can make. By working together, healthcare professionals can ensure that patients receive the care they need, especially in underserved communities with scarce healthcare resources.
A Path Forward: Expanding Access and Reducing Disparities
The path forward lies in collaboration. Patients already trust pharmacists and have the expertise to improve chronic disease management and medication adherence outcomes. Expanding their scope of practice, particularly in underserved areas, can help close the gaps in healthcare access and reduce the disparities that plague minority communities.
We are facing multiple health crises—from the opioid epidemic to rising rates of diabetes and heart disease. Now is the time for unity. By embracing the contributions of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, we can build a system that serves everyone, leaving no community behind.