Latinx Pharmacists Are Uniquely Positioned to Serve Their Communities

In a recent interview with Pharmacy Times, president of the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association, Maria Hearns-Rivas, PharmD, APh, BCGP, CDCES, discussed the importance of such organizations and why Latinx pharmacists are uniquely positioned to serve their communities.

Hearns-Rivas said pharmacists should strive to represent those who they care for, and this goal includes increasing underrepresented groups. Hearns-Rivas cited an article by Fabriela Cipriano, PharmD, and Carlota Andrews, PhD, PharmD, about the value of Hispanic pharmacists.

“Beyond a common language, their summary states inability to speak and/or write in patients’ native language severely impairs our best efforts to deliver good health care,” Hearns-Rivas said. “This is a widely-recognized cause of non-compliance or less than favorable possible health outcomes in Hispanic patients that has received less attention.”

In addition to communication barriers, Hearns-Rivas said overcoming cultural barriers may be even more challenging. She said having a shared cultural understanding allows the pharmacy to make medical and educational interventions relevant to the patient and allows patients to actively participate in their care.