Report highlights pharmacists' contributions during the pandemic

Abstract

Medication therapy management, self-care recommendations, point-of-care testing, and administration of vaccinations are some of the critical contributions community pharmacists have made during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report featured in CDC's journal Preventing Chronic Disease. “The physical proximity and constant presence of the community pharmacist during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a tremendous resource to communities,” said Mark A. Strand, PhD, CPH, professor of pharmacy practice and master of public health program at North Dakota State University, and lead author of the recent publication. “Pharmacists have ensured patients have access to their medications, and their importance will only increase as CLIA-waived point-of-care testing for SARS-CoV-2 ramps up and eventually as more than 100 million doses of a vaccine need to be administered.” The report highlighted the opportunity pharmacists have in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care delivery during the pandemic. The coronavirus has disproportionally affected minority populations, resulting in exponentially higher mortality rates as the prevalence of comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, respiratory diseases), as well as preexisting racial and socioeconomic inequalities in health care access, are higher in these groups. In the report, Strand and colleagues pointed out how pharmacies located close to at-risk populations have been able to ensure individuals in these communities have access to essential medications via curbside pickup, larger refill quantities, and home deliveries. When many health care organizations restricted patient access to noncritical services in the early stages of the pandemic, most pharmacies remained open and supported patients, the authors noted. Pharmacists also educated patients about the risks of COVID-19 and the measures they could take to protect themselves. Community pharmacists are experienced in providing point-of-care testing, with more than 10,000 pharmacies already providing CLIA-waived tests for influenza, streptococcal pharyngitis, and chronic diseases (glucose, lipids, etc.). Strand and colleagues said that community pharmacists can play a key role in COVID-19 testing, which will help provide ongoing surveillance to communities. Increased access to testing will lead to early detection, and quarantine of detected patients will help reduce transmission. The authors wrote that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has authorized all pharmacists to provide these COVID-19 services and that CMS is reimbursing pharmacies for COVID-19 testing. The authors also highlighted the important role pharmacists have in not only helping patients stay up to date on recommended vaccinations, but also the impact they will have in the large-scale administration of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once it becomes available. Pharmacists are well-equipped to provide numerous interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic (see sidebar) and have an opportunity to make a substantial impact on public health. In the report, Strand and colleagues discussed how a deeper integration of pharmacy within the public health infrastructure is needed. Since pharmacies are likely to be located near acute and chronic disease hotspots and have real-time communication links to public health and primary care authorities, pharmacists can play a role in helping public health leaders detect and prepare for surges of known and novel diseases. Pharmacist interventions during the pandemic□Disease self-care and support□Medication therapy review□Medication monitoring •Provide appropriate preventative medications•Address any access issues□Patient education •Medications, vaccinations, and COVID-19 disease□Point-of-care testing •COVID-19 testing•Screening for acute and chronic diseases□Vaccinations •All appropriate vaccine-preventable diseases•SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once availableAdapted from Prev Chronic Dis. 2020;17:200317. □Disease self-care and support□Medication therapy review□Medication monitoring •Provide appropriate preventative medications•Address any access issues□Patient education •Medications, vaccinations, and COVID-19 disease□Point-of-care testing •COVID-19 testing•Screening for acute and chronic diseases□Vaccinations •All appropriate vaccine-preventable diseases•SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once available Adapted from Prev Chronic Dis. 2020;17:200317. “I am a strong advocate for intersectoral collaboration, so pharmacy managers should be present at the public health table during this time,” said Strand. “They should be advocating for full utilization and financial support for community pharmacies, which includes a Test-Treat-Immunize model, where they can conduct and interpret tests, initiate treatment in collaborative practice agreements, and administer all FDA-approved vaccines.”