Walgreens Boots Alliance is working to expand the role of pharmacists in providing healthcare services, with CEO Tim Wentworth pushing for pharmacist provider status. During the pandemic, pharmacists played a critical role in administering vaccinations and providing diagnostics for COVID-19. The industry is now looking to move towards a “test to treat” model, allowing pharmacists to provide more healthcare services, such as prescribing for routine health conditions. In the UK, Boots pharmacists are already able to advise and prescribe for seven common health conditions through the pharmacy-first service.
In the US, state scope of practice rules regulate what pharmacists can and cannot do, making it a state-by-state process to expand their role. While some state regulators and policymakers may be resistant, there is a push to allow pharmacists to provide more services to patients. Walgreens is hoping to achieve provider status for their pharmacists, allowing them to be reimbursed for select healthcare services. This expansion of pharmacist roles could help to lighten the burden on the broader healthcare system, as seen in the UK with Boots pharmacy-first service.
As Walgreens and other pharmacies seek to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists, they may face opposition from the American Medical Association and state medical societies. These organizations believe that care should be led by physicians and may push back against allowing pharmacists to take on more responsibilities. However, the increased involvement of pharmacists in healthcare services has been shown to benefit patients, with pharmacists being highly trained clinical professionals who can provide immunizations, patient counseling, and testing for infectious diseases.
The role of pharmacists has evolved in recent years, with the pandemic highlighting their importance in providing healthcare services to patients. Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth is advocating for expanded responsibilities for pharmacists, drawing on the success of the pharmacy-first service in the UK. Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide prompt advice and treatment for common health conditions, potentially reducing the burden on the broader healthcare system. While there may be challenges in convincing state regulators and policymakers to allow pharmacists to test and treat, the industry is hopeful for advancements in pharmacist provider status.
In conclusion, the expansion of the role of pharmacists in providing healthcare services is a growing trend in the industry, with Walgreens and other pharmacies pushing for pharmacist provider status. While there may be opposition from medical organizations, the benefits of allowing pharmacists to provide more services to patients are becoming increasingly clear. With the success of the pharmacy-first service in the UK as a model, there is optimism for the future of pharmacist-led healthcare services in the US. As the industry continues to advocate for expanded scope of practice for pharmacists, it will be important to work with state regulators and policymakers to implement these changes and enhance the role of pharmacists in patient care.
