The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has unveiled the theme for World Pharmacists Day on September 25, 2021: “Pharmacy: Always Trusted for Your Health.”
Here in the United States, patients are understanding the expanded role that pharmacists provide. Throughout the pandemic, pharmacists have been working on the front lines, providing patient vaccine education, screenings vaccinations, and other health recommendations. The COVID-19 Vaccination Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership Program has shown that “as of Sept. 8, 2021, nearly 127 million doses have been administered and reported by retail pharmacies across programs in the U.S., which includes 8 million doses administered through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program,” as stated by the CDC.1
A recent poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that “At least 7 in 10 Americans trust doctors, nurses and pharmacists to do what’s right for them and their families either most or all of the time.”2
Last year’s PQS Industry Trend Report also compared the level of comfort in population receiving vaccinations at a pharmacy from 2019 to 2020. It showed that 84% of those surveyed within that last 12 months were comfortable or very comfortable receiving vaccinations at a pharmacy.
As pharmacists are more broadly recognized as medication experts, educators, and patient advocates, patients’ trust in pharmacy as a destination for care will continue to grow, and their access to quality care will expand.
From the team at PQS, we hope you have a happy World Pharmacists Day, and we appreciate your commitment to improving health outcomes of the patients you serve.
1“COVID-19 Vaccination Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership Program.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Aug. 2021, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/index.html.
2 Swanson, Emily. “High Trust in Doctors, Nurses in US, AP-NORC Poll Finds.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 10 Aug. 2021, apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-509835fc9b663bffc83f52d248e9ef4a.