The role of the retail pharmacy is expanding
The pharmacist’s role is evolving into a longitudinal relationship that’s enhanced and even driven by innovations in pharmacy technology that can address modern industry challenges.
The 2023 Pharmacy Times Burnout and Mental Health Survey found respondents scored an average of 5.89 on a burnout scale of 1 to 7—a rating that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These feelings of burnout in pharmacists were largely rooted in workload and were a significant factor in driving understaffing—highlighting the potential for new innovations to address the root causes of the challenges while also enabling downstream improvements.
Pharmacy leaders have an increasing responsibility to leverage options that can help address a range of challenges, including:
- Leaning into hybrid services that mix in-person and online patient interactions.
- Helping patients address rising prescription drug costs.
- Shouldering the burden of staffing shortages.
- Managing their own burnout and that of their pharmacy staff.
- Improving the efficiency and productivity of pharmacy operations.
- Providing their patients with quality care and improved outcomes.
What is a hybrid pharmacy and how does it benefit patients?
The hybrid pharmacy is one of the most patient-centric innovations in pharmacy today. Hybrid pharmacies expand their roles within a community by centralizing core tasks, like filling and dispensing medication, to free up their pharmacists to focus more on patient counseling and expanded services. Hybrid pharmacy experiences enhance patient experience through digital innovations that enable evidence-based decisions and connect care team actions at the point of care to the broader health ecosystem.
One example of this is chronic condition management, wherein a pharmacy may offer on-site and central fill solutions, along with medication adherence, care coordination, and education opportunities. As the population ages and care needs become more complex, this natural evolution of pharmacy services will help pharmacists retain their position as trusted members of the care team.
