Many are advocating for expanded prescribing rights for pharmacists as drugs become more specialized and a shortage of primary care physicians hinders quick access to medical care. Retail pharmacy giants, including CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart, and Amazon, are already allowing their pharmacists to prescribe certain medications like antivirals used to treat Covid-19. The Biden Administration’s “test to treat” initiative has allowed state-licensed pharmacists to test patients for Covid-19 and immediately prescribe treatment. This has sparked a debate between pharmacy chains supporting increased prescribing rights for pharmacists and doctor groups opposing the push, citing concerns about prioritizing profits over patient care.
Pharmacies argue that pharmacists are well-equipped to prescribe medications in various instances and regulations should be changed to expand their scope of practice. Pharmacy executives highlight that pharmacists are often the first health professionals patients encounter, making them critical in addressing questions about drug interactions and side effects. Retail pharmacies see the ability of pharmacists to prescribe as a way to address the widening shortage of healthcare workers in the U.S. and add healthcare services to the offerings provided at drugstores, big box retailers, and grocery stores.
Amazon Pharmacy supports the ability of pharmacists to practice at the top of their license, utilizing new technologies like generative AI to focus on clinical care rather than administrative tasks. Walmart offers testing and treatment services in 1,100 stores across 14 states for Covid-19, strep throat, and the seasonal flu. However, the opposition from U.S. physicians, including the American Medical Association and state medical societies, poses obstacles to the expansion of pharmacist prescribing. Doctor groups believe that care should be led by physicians and are concerned about the safety and quality of care provided by pharmacists.
The Illinois State Medical Society is one of the organizations moving to oppose the expansion of pharmacist prescribing, citing concerns about patient safety and the potential for profit-driven decisions by pharmacy chains. Pharmacists are already overworked in their current roles, with many expressing concerns about the risk of prescription errors and insufficient safety protections when juggling multiple tasks. However, supporters of pharmacist prescribing argue that it is crucial for pharmacists to have the ability to prescribe, especially in specialized areas like HIV prevention.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation is partnering with Walmart and Duke University to train pharmacists on educating patients about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. The Foundation aims to bridge the gap in access to HIV testing and PrEP by utilizing pharmacists to provide these services. Advocates of pharmacist prescribing see this as an opportunity to deliver potentially life-saving medications to individuals at risk for HIV who may not have easy access to healthcare facilities. Overall, the debate over pharmacist prescribing rights continues to unfold, with pharmacy chains advocating for expanded roles for pharmacists while facing opposition from doctor groups concerned about patient safety and quality of care.
