Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)’s Post

Amid a primary care shortage, pharmacists are stepping up to fill crucial gaps and ensure positive outcomes for patients. This article by Elizabeth Briand for PharmacyToday explores a shift in how pharmacists are viewed by providers, patients and lawmakers. As policies and perceptions change, pharmacists can be more involved as care team partners, relieving the pressure on providers. How do you envision the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare? #PharmacistsInHealthcare #PatientOutcomes #HealthcareTransformation https://hubs.li/Q02hXMvM0

Several states are expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists to allow them to prescribe certain medications, tests, and treatments. This move aims to increase access to healthcare amidst a shortage of primary care physicians and other healthcare workers. In Illinois, pharmacists can now administer tests, diagnose, and prescribe for conditions like influenza, COVID-19, strep throat, and others identified during public health emergencies. Proponents argue this will enhance healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, while critics raise concerns about pharmacists' training and workload. The retail pharmacy sector has been successful in persuading state lawmakers to grant prescribing abilities to pharmacists, citing the potential shortage of over 55,000 primary care physicians in the U.S. However, the American Medical Association opposes such expansions, arguing that pharmacists' training is insufficient for providing medical care typically provided by physicians. https://lnkd.in/er6F7fH5 #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #Pharmacists #AccessToCare

One small step, in the right direction. The transformation of the pharmacy practice & the correct / efficient use of the pharmacists' skill-set in healthcare. I can only hope more countries will follow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿's lead on this. 🇷🇴 se aude și la voi? https://lnkd.in/eVQx-zt8

MS Awareness Month: Pharmacists Have an Integral Role in Patient Care, Support: The manager of clinical pharmacy at UPMC Health Plan describes the significance of the pharmacist’s role in multiple sclerosis care and when collaborating with other health care providers. #finance #pharmacy #lifesciences

Check out this great article about how One Medical and Amazon are working to normalize pharmacy consults in outpatient primary care. It begs the question, why aren't we taking more advantage of pharmacy consults in the outpatient setting? Thanks to the Pharmacy Quality Alliance for putting this on my radar! Have you had success implementing pharmacy consults into your practice? Share your stories and lessons learned in the comments below. #pharmacyconsult #healthcareinnovation #primarycare #pharmacist #polypharmacy #pharmacy

🚀💊 Empowering Healthcare's Frontline: From prescriptions to patient care plans, pharmacy professionals are redefining primary care in the UK. Discover how we're moving beyond the counter to lead the charge in clinical care. 💡🌟 #HealthcareInnovation #PharmacyImpact #PrimaryCareInnovation #GPPharmacySupport #HealthcareFuture #PharmacyLeadership #PharmacyLeadership   https://lnkd.in/ehJiSDWs

The principle of ‘patient safety’ is preventing avoidable patient harm in healthcare. As more pharmacists take on #prescribing roles, it is essential that they understand #patientsafety to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines. This article discusses the common factors contributing to prescribing errors, the challenges pharmacist prescribers face, and how understanding ‘human factors’ can help in developing safe prescribing practices and reduce error risk | https://lnkd.in/gjvbb88N #humanfactors #riskreduction #safeprescribing Keith Holden University of Sunderland

A month into the rollout of the Pharmacy First initiative, we've seen a noticeable increase in patients seeking care for one of the seven conditions covered under this service, leading to greater footfall in community pharmacies. However, this transition has not been without its challenges. One significant issue is the time investment required for pharmacists to conduct thorough reviews, often exceeding 30 minutes per patient. This substantial time commitment, especially for walk-in patients not referred through the designated online portal by GP practices, poses a dilemma. Without meeting the specific gateway criteria, these consultations do not qualify for reimbursement, leaving pharmacists uncompensated for their valuable time. Moreover, not all GP practices have been adequately trained on the referral process, and there appears to be a gap in training reception staff on how to triage patients effectively between GPs and Pharmacy First services. The lack of clinical training for some staff members in determining the appropriate pathway for patient care exacerbates this issue. Despite these hurdles, the need for cohesive collaboration between GP surgeries and community pharmacies has never been clearer. Ensuring smooth operation requires concerted efforts to educate all stakeholders about the referral process and triage protocols. Anecdotal feedback from doctors and pharmacists indicates that patients often find themselves in a loop, being directed back to their GPs after seeking help at a pharmacy, highlighting the need for improved communication and system integration. The Pharmacy First initiative has the potential to significantly enhance patient care and relieve pressure on healthcare systems. However, addressing the operational and training challenges is essential for its success. Continued dialogue and partnership between GPs, pharmacists, and the broader healthcare community will be key to refining this valuable service. #PharmacyFirst #CommunityPharmacy #PatientCare #HealthcareCollaboration #PharmacyChallenges #Pharmacists #Primarycarenetworks #NHS