Expanding the Pharmacist’s Role in Public Health

Today pharmacists are using their clinical skills to serve the community through vaccinations, emergency preparedness and response, drug education, health screenings, medication therapy management (MTM), and counseling services. This article provides a summary of why the pharmacist’s role should be expanded in the public health arena. It is essential to realize the capability of pharmacists and further expand their role in the public health arena in order to improve the quality of care and control costs of the nation. Pharmacists are more accessible to patients than any other healthcare professional and are well-trained to further advance the mission of public health: to promote health, wellness and prevention.