High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects millions of people in the United States. Left uncontrolled, hypertension puts patients at the risk of heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in America. While lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are crucial, medication often plays a vital role in managing blood pressure effectively. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on patient outcomes in hypertension management and can provide and record blood pressure checks at the pharmacy.
Recent research from Virginia Commonwealth University reveals that expanding pharmacists’ role in hypertension care could prevent over 15 million heart attacks and nearly 8 million strokes over 30 years, while saving the healthcare system $1.1 trillion.1 The study, “Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacist Prescribing for Managing Hypertension in the United States” was led by corresponding author Dave Dixon, Pharm.D., of the VCU School of Pharmacy.
How Pharmacists Contribute to Blood Pressure Management
Pharmacists are invaluable members of the healthcare team, because of their expertise in pharmacology, drug interactions, and patient counseling. With over 95% of Americans living within 5 miles of a community pharmacy2 and patients visiting pharmacists 12 times more frequently than primary care providers3, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address the growing healthcare access gap. Here’s how they contribute to better blood pressure management:
Medication Therapy Management (MTM):
- Identifying and resolving drug-related problems through dosage adjustments, medication switches, or lifestyle modifications
- Improving medication adherence through patient counseling and addressing barriers
- Educating patients about blood pressure, medications, and lifestyle modifications
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Screening: Many pharmacies offer blood pressure screening services, providing convenient access points for monitoring. Pharmacists can collect and leverage blood pressure data as valuable HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) supplemental data. By coordinating MTM efforts with the ability to systematically document blood pressure readings, pharmacies contribute to important healthcare performance metrics and patient outcomes.
Collaboration with Physicians: Pharmacists work with physicians to develop and implement individualized treatment plans, sharing vital information about medication effectiveness, side effects, and adherence patterns.
The Impact on Patient Outcomes
Pharmacists and community health workers can lead BP intervention implementation and are important members of the healthcare team in controlling hypertension in patients. A recent American Heart Association Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes research article, “Role of Health Care Professionals in the Success of Blood Pressure Control Interventions in Patients With Hypertension” shows that pharmacist-led interventions resulted in the greatest systolic and diastolic BP reductions when compared with other health care professionals.4
Pharmacists can also document BP readings in health plan sponsored gap closure programs in PQS by Innovaccer’s EQUIPP® platform. In a recent EQUIPP Care Gap Closure program, over 54% of pharmacy collected readings were considered “Under Control.”
The Future of Pharmacy in Hypertension Management
As healthcare evolves, pharmacists are positioned to play an even greater role in improving patient outcomes. Their expertise in medication therapy and patient counseling makes them essential healthcare team members, working collaboratively with physicians to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. Expanded scope of practice and technology integration will further enhance their ability to improve blood pressure control and reduce cardiovascular disease burden.
For more information about how your health plan can leverage pharmacy partnerships to close care gaps and improve outcomes, download our free PQS by Innovaccer brochure, “Delivering Better Patient and Business Health with Pharmacy” by filling out the form below.
1“Expanding Pharmacists’ Role for Patients with Hypertension Could Prevent 15 Million Heart Attacks over 30 Years – SoP Annual Report – Virginia Commonwealth University.” Vcu.edu, 2023, annualreport.pharmacy.vcu.edu/2023-24/research-excellence/expanding-pharmacists-role-for-patients-with-hypertension-could-prevent-15-million-heart-attacks-over-30-years/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
2Berenbrok, Lucas A., et al. “Access to Community Pharmacies: A Nationwide Geographic Information Systems Cross-Sectional Analysis.” Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, vol. 62, no. 6, July 2022, www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00233-3/pdf, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2022.07.003.
3Strand, Mark A., et al. “Community Pharmacists’ Contributions to Disease Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Preventing Chronic Disease, vol. 17, 23 July 2020, https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.200317.
4Mills, Katherine T, et al. “Role of Health Care Professionals in the Success of Blood Pressure Control Interventions in Patients with Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis.” Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 19 July 2024, https://doi.org/10.1161/circoutcomes.123.010396. Accessed 22 July 2024.
