Past, present, and continued need for provider status legislation: Navigating clinical practice with significant sustainability barriers

Abstract

The pharmacy profession has advanced remarkably, however, pharmacists have yet to obtain provider status at the federal level. Establishing pharmacists as providers is imperative in light of the growing shortage of primary care providers and need to provide care for medically underserved populations. Academic reform, professional development and legislation have all contributed to the furtherment of provider status. Yet, the cornerstone to obtaining this status lies in imminent changes at the health care and interprofessional collegial levels in conjunction with professional perseverance and legislative action. These actions will help ensure pharmacists as integral partners on collaborative health care teams in clinical service provision for managing patients' chronic conditions and medications, to ultimately, improve access to quality care and patient health outcomes.