Pharmacies have long been a staple in our communities, serving as trusted sources for medication and healthcare advice. However, in recent years, pharmacies have taken on an expanded role as essential providers of healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

The Role of Pharmacies in Underserved Communities 

Pharmacies are often the most accessible point of care for individuals in underserved communities.¹ They offer a range of services, including:

• Medication dispensing and counseling: Pharmacists are experts in medication management and can provide patients with information about their prescriptions, including how to take them to maximize efficacy, manage side effects which may occur, and avoid any potential interactions between different drugs. 
• Immunizations: Many pharmacies offer a variety of immunizations, including flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, RSV vaccines and shingles vaccines.
• Chronic disease management: Pharmacists can play a key role in helping patients manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. They can provide education, metabolic monitoring, and support to help patients stay on track with their treatment plans.
• Point-of-care testing: Pharmacies offer a variety of point-of-care tests, including blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and blood glucose tests.
• Telehealth services: Some pharmacies offer telehealth services, allowing patients to connect with healthcare providers remotely.

In addition to these services, pharmacies also play an important role in community health by providing education and outreach. Pharmacists can provide helpful education and outreach on diet and exercise, and smoking cessation. They can also collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive coordinated care by advocating for patients’ needs and helping them access the care they need to improve their own health outcomes.

The Benefits of Pharmacies in Underserved Communities 

Pharmacies offer a number of benefits to underserved communities, including significantly increasing access to healthcare, often serving as the most readily available point of contact compared to doctors or hospitals. A 2022 Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy study found that patients visit their community pharmacies almost twice as often as they visit their physicians or other qualified health care professional.²

This enhanced accessibility contributes to improved health outcomes for patients, as research indicates a positive correlation between pharmacist care and better health management. Pharmacists can help reduce healthcare costs by actively working to prevent medication errors and improve how consistently patients follow their prescribed treatments. By providing essential care and support, pharmacies in these communities contribute to a better overall quality of life for the individuals they serve. In a 2023 publication, “Advancing Public Health through Community Pharmacy Practice,” it was stated that “as members of interprofessional teams, pharmacists’ provision of clinical services has improved patient and population health outcomes. Pharmacists have also become increasingly involved in screening patients for social determinants of health and performing required interventions.”³

The Future of Pharmacies in Underserved Communities is Now 

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, pharmacies are playing an even greater role in underserved communities. Pharmacists are increasingly being recognized as essential members of the healthcare team, and they are being given more authority to provide a wider range of services.

• Implementing value-based care models: Pharmacists are accepting and implementing value-based care models, which focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
• Addressing social determinants of health: Pharmacists can help to address social determinants of health, such as poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability, which can have a significant impact on health.
• Using technology to improve care: Pharmacists can use technology to improve care coordination, communication, and patient engagement.

Pharmacies are indispensable pillars of support for underserved communities, delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare services that are crucial for enhancing individual and community health and well-being. As the healthcare landscape undergoes continuous transformation, pharmacies are poised to ascend to an even more vital position in expanding access to care and driving improved health outcomes for all populations.

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.

¹Berenbrok, 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.

²Valliant, S. N., Burbage, S. C., Pathak, S., & Urick, B. Y. (2022, January). Pharmacists as accessible health care providers: Quantifying the opportunity. Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8890748/ 

³DiPietro Mager, Natalie, and David Bright. “Advancing Public Health through Community Pharmacy Practice.” Pharmacy, vol. 11, no. 2, 15 Mar. 2023, p. 56, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11020056.