Pharmacies are Evolving from Dispensaries to Healthcare Destinations
PART OF OUR UNDERSTANDING SERIES: Credentialing and Health Plan Enrollment for Pharmacists
By Blair Thielemier, PharmD, Founder, Pharmapreneur Academy
As consumer needs shift and healthcare systems age, a growing trend is emerging toward community-based access points, particularly in medically underserved areas. These access points as keystone pharmacies are being increasingly recognized as a solution to healthcare challenges in rural and urban communities alike.
These access points offer patients essential health services, such as access to oral contraception, preventive care, immunizations, and convenient direct-to-consumer lab tests. According to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, positioning pharmacies as an ideal and easily accessible option for healthcare services. The flexibility and convenience these pharmacies offer have made them increasingly popular in underserved communities, where traditional healthcare providers may be sparse or inaccessible.
Pharmacies have become a key player in providing low-acuity health services, which can often be managed by a licensed pharmacist and their team. In fact, 48 states currently permit pharmacists to provide services like administering immunizations, conducting health screenings, and dispensing certain medications under collaborative practice agreements. The role of pharmacists has expanded in many states, as seen in the increasing number of states that allow pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives. This expansion underscores the growing recognition of pharmacists as essential healthcare providers.
However, the shift toward community-based care isn’t just beneficial to patients, it also presents a valuable opportunity for pharmacists and the broader healthcare system. As the existing healthcare infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the evolving needs of a technology-driven world, pharmacies are well-positioned to fill critical gaps. By leveraging their unique access to patients, pharmacists can be compensated for a wide range of professional services beyond traditional dispensing, including chronic disease management, medication therapy management (MTM), and even preventive services like health screenings via the medical benefit.
A 2022 report from Pharmacy Times found that nearly 90% of Americans support expanding pharmacists’ role in healthcare, and many would prefer to use pharmacies for more routine medical services. This growing demand for pharmacist-provided services opens doors for alternative revenue models in pharmacy, diversifying income streams and positioning pharmacies as integrated hubs in the healthcare ecosystem.
Pharmacists are increasingly able to use data to measure the value of their services and demonstrate the impact they have on patient outcomes. With the integration of health technology like electronic health records (EHR) and telehealth platforms, data-driven insights can highlight cost savings, improved health outcomes, and patient satisfaction. According to a study published by the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, programs involving pharmacist-led interventions led to a 10-20% reduction in hospital readmissions, highlighting the potential of pharmacies to reduce overall healthcare costs.
As healthcare systems look for more cost-effective solutions, pharmacies can step into a more prominent role, helping to alleviate pressure on overburdened primary care providers and hospitals. This shift not only benefits patients but also creates a dynamic, sustainable model for pharmacy businesses to grow in the evolving healthcare landscape.
About the Pharmapreneur Academy
The Pharmapreneur Academy is an online e-Course and Community that guides pharmacists through the process and barriers of offering, billing and marketing their professional services. The community offers practical, real world advice from pharmacists who are working in non-traditional roles. The Beginner’s Business Blueprint offers step-by-step guidance for credentialling, medical billing, implementation and marketing innovative clinical services in a variety of practice settings. The Pharmapreneur Academy was founded in 2015 by Dr. Blair Thielemier, PharmD, a pharmacist-entrepreneur specializing in innovative pharmacy programs. Blair has been recognized as one of the Most Influential Pharmacy Leaders in the United States and speaks internationally on pharmacist-led clinical programs. More information and clinical resources are available via our community newsletter.
For more information about Pharmacy Profiles and its credentialing services, please visit www.pharmacyprofiles.com or contact Mark Pilkington, Executive Director, mpilkington@pharmacyprofiles.com, 202-429-7550.
