Pharmacists play a central role in shared decision-making by guiding patients through lipid-lowering options, cost considerations, and ongoing monitoring aligned with updated dyslipidemia guidelines.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Joel C. Marrs, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, BCCP, BCPS, a cardiology ambulatory clinical pharmacist at Cheyenne Regional Medical Group Heart and Vascular Institute and adjoint associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, emphasized the critical role pharmacists play in shared decision-making for lipid-lowering therapies, particularly as newer, high-cost agents enter clinical practice. Marrs highlighted that shared decision-making should be a multidisciplinary effort, with pharmacists serving as highly accessible health care professionals who can reinforce guideline recommendations and translate complex clinical information into patient-centered discussions.
A key component of this role involves pharmacist familiarity with evolving guidelines, including earlier intervention strategies that incorporate lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapy based on baseline cardiovascular risk. Marrs underscored the importance of communicating individualized risk assessments, including use of risk prediction tools, while helping patients weigh the benefits of lipid lowering against potential financial burdens. As newer therapies often require prior authorization and may carry substantial out-of-pocket costs, pharmacists are well positioned to guide patients through access pathways, including insurance requirements and manufacturer-sponsored assistance programs.
“Pharmacists are often the most accessible health care providers, and being an informed resource for patients is essential to effective shared decision-making.” – Joel C. Marrs, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, BCCP, BCPS
Beyond cost navigation, pharmacists can support patients in understanding the long-term benefits of lipid control, particularly in reducing atherogenic burden and preventing future cardiovascular events. Marrs noted that empowering patients with comprehensive information ultimately allows them to make informed decisions aligned with their preferences and financial realities.
Additionally, Marrs identified expanded opportunities for pharmacists across the continuum of dyslipidemia care, from lifestyle counseling on diet and exercise to recommending therapeutic alternatives when cost or tolerability limits first-line options. He also emphasized the growing importance of ongoing lipid monitoring in light of updated guideline-directed low-density lipoprotein targets, reinforcing the need for therapy adjustments when goals are not achieved. Collectively, these responsibilities position pharmacists as essential contributors to optimizing cardiovascular risk reduction.
