Pharmacists at the Forefront: Expanding Roles in Innovative and Equitable Care

The pharmacist’s role continues to expand as therapies emerge and become more established within health care. From advocating for involvement in shaping health care to demonstrating the clinical and economic value of reconciliation, pharmacist expertise is becoming more established and imperative in improving patient outcomes.

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In the cover feature on page 8, Jillian Hernandez, MS; Andrew Krut, PharmD, RPh; Kristin Speer, PharmD, BCPS, RPh; and Justin Belko, BS, underscore how policy makers must include pharmacists in psychedelic medicine discussions to ensure safe, effective, and equitable psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) delivery for all patients who may benefit. Additionally, it is recommended that pharmacists proactively advocate for their role to provide guidance and utilize their expertise for the responsible and ethical implementation of PAT.

In the peer-reviewed original research piece on page 13, Caitlyn Jerkins, PharmD; Tracey Bastian, PharmD; Rebecca Stern, MD; and Tyler Baumeister, PharmD, BCIDP, assessed the feasibility and impact of pharmacist-led penicillin allergy reconciliation in patients with a documented allergy. They determined that a pharmacist-driven direct challenge approach was an effective and potentially cost-saving method of penicillin allergy evaluation in a community hospital setting.

In the Q&A on page 42, Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP, a professor of pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacist at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, showcases key highlights from the session she copresented at ENDO 2025. The presentation emphasized the evolving role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists within cardiometabolic care and addressed the barriers these therapies face, including accessibility and cost issues, prior authorizations, and peer-to-peer reviews. Also, many providers believe these agents are solely for glycemic control, which Goldman states is a misconception.

These articles, among others in this issue of Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems, emphasize how pharmacists continue to be vital contributors to advancing patient care, shaping policy, and bridging gaps in treatment access. Whether championing their role in emerging fields like PAT, optimizing antimicrobial stewardship through penicillin allergy reconciliation, or addressing barriers to the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in cardiometabolic care, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to improve outcomes through their clinical expertise and patient-centered approach. By remaining engaged, informed, and proactive, pharmacists can remain at the forefront of innovative, equitable, and effective health care delivery.