Pharmacists Can Provide Trusted Medical Advice in an Era of Fractured Health Care

This American Pharmacists Month, the picture of health care is fractured and complex. A new administration is implementing major changes across the federal health landscape, altering access to vaccines, slashing funding for health insurance for millions, and relitigating concerns regarding established medications. States and medical societies have pushed back, offering conflicting guidance. Meanwhile, pharmacists continue to serve as front-facing, trustworthy, and accessible health care providers for countless individuals in communities they serve.

In times like these, it is more critical than ever for pharmacists to appropriately and accurately counsel patients. Varying medical advice is being heard from all sectors of health care, and as one of the only health care professionals that engages in robust, face-to-face community engagement, pharmacists can fill gaps in information and thoughtfully discuss patient concerns. With so much conflicting guidance, patients should feel confident that their local pharmacist can provide the answers they need for their own and their family’s health.

Take a look at recent instances that demonstrate the essential role of pharmacists in providing clear, fact-based health care guidance to patients when up against a wave of conflicting information.

Pharmacists Stay Up To Date on Vaccine Recommendations

One of the most obvious signs of the seas of change in health care is the recent changes to vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since April alone, ACIP has voted to expand recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination to include adults aged 50 to 59 years at increased respiratory tract disease; restrict the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine for children younger than 4 years; and clarify that COVID-19 vaccines should be administered through shared-clinical decision-making.^1-3

In response to this wave of changes—and more to come—associations and states have provided their own recommendations for pharmacists. The American Academy of Pediatrics released their own immunization recommendations for children and adolescents this upcoming season. Meanwhile, states along the West and East Coasts have established their own regional vaccine recommendations for respiratory illness, bucking federal guidance.^4,5

Pharmacists play a critical role in serving as a trustworthy source of fact-based guidance amid a constellation of conflicting recommendations. Above all, thorough and transparent discussions with a patient or their guardian regarding vaccination is paramount. Through these, concerns can be addressed at the source. Pharmacists can help patients sift through the discordant recommendations and interpret them, helping them understand the differences between recommendations.9

Not every piece of guidance will apply to every patient, necessitating that pharmacists apply individualized evidence in the context of a patient’s age, comorbidities, and concurrent medications. Of course, pharmacists must ensure patients are educated on the misinformation spreading online and in social circles. By addressing vaccine misinformation directly with patients in a transparent manner, they can feel more assured that their choice to vaccinate is the right one.9

Thimerosal Debate Allows for Pharmacist-Patient Discussions

Another major debate that has consumed pharmacists and health care providers in recent months regards thimerosal in vaccines. Following a 5-1-1 ACIP vote in June, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the removal of thimerosal (sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate), an ethylmercury-based preservative that was used in vaccines for decades, from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States. The decision came despite a litany of evidence affirming its safety in vaccines and the removal of thimerosal from almost the entire US vaccine supply.^6,7

Patient education in this context is essential. Beyond basic counseling and medical advice regarding ACIP influenza recommendations, many patients simply do not know what thimerosal is or its purpose in vaccines. Based on the conjecture surrounding thimerosal at the federal level, patients may present to pharmacists with a negative attitude towards influenza vaccines due to perceived risks. Pharmacists, in plain language, can highlight the history of thimerosal, its removal from most US vaccines, and its safety and use as a preservative.¹⁰

Pharmacists Can Counsel Pregnant Patients That Acetaminophen Use is Safe

Advocacy and reassurance are critical when established medical processes are called into question. A clear example is the recent announcement from the FDA that they would be alerting physicians nationwide about an alleged association between acetaminophen (Tylenol; Kenvue) use in pregnant women and a heightened risk of neurological conditions, including autism. The agency cited numerous studies describing such an association, but noted—in accordance with reliable, large-scale analyses—that no causation between acetaminophen and autism has been established.⁸

Indeed, high-quality research affirms that no such association exists. Not only is acetaminophen considered safe in pregnant women, but it is often their only option for pain relief, as alternatives such as ibuprofen or aspirin have been proven harmful to a pregnant mother and their baby. Now, the federal health establishment has thrown a settled issue back into the public discourse, leaving pharmacists in an essential position to counsel patients on proper acetaminophen use.⁸

Reassuring pregnant individuals currently using acetaminophen that their actions are safe should be a priority of pharmacists. It is completely understandable that patients may have reservations, especially following the recent FDA announcement; however, using their medical expertise, pharmacists can point to the myriad large-scale research initiatives that have affirmed a link between acetaminophen and neurological disorders. Moreover, pharmacists can help patients manage their doses of acetaminophen, easing concerns by ensuring the lowest necessary dose is taken.11

If a pregnant individual presents to a pharmacist with a high fever, there should not be hesitation to prescribe the patient acetaminophen. High fevers in pregnancy can cause serious complications for both the mother and child; pharmacists must ensure these risks are conveyed to patients accurately and transparently. Once a patient is properly counseled, acetaminophen can be easily procured at a pharmacy, with a pharmacist able to guide a patient to its location and help them review recommended doses and precautions on the boxed label.11

Overall, as the health care landscape continues to splinter, pharmacists are set to expand their roles as trusted providers of medical advice.

REFERENCES

1. Ferruggia K. ACIP votes to expand lowering RSV vaccine recommendation age to 50 for high-risk adults. Pharmacy Times. Published April 17, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/acip-votes-to-expand-lowering-rsv-vaccine-recommendation-age-to-50-for-high-risk-adults

2. Halpern L. ACIP meeting: Combined MMRV vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine restricted for some age groups. Pharmacy Times. Published September 19, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/acip-meeting-combined-mmrv-vaccine-hepatitis-b-vaccine-restricted-for-some-age-groups

3. Halpern L. ACIP meeting: COVID-19 vaccines to be administered through shared clinical decision-making. Pharmacy Times. Published September 19, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/acip-meeting-covid-19-vaccines-to-be-administered-through-shared-clinical-decision-making

4. Gerlach A. American Academy of Pediatrics releases 2025 child, adolescent immunization recommendations. Pharmacy Times. Published August 21, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/american-academy-of-pediatrics-releases-2025-child-adolescent-immunization-recommendations

5. Valletti D. West coast health alliance sets clinical priorities amid vaccine guidance shifts. Pharmacy Times. Published September 17, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/west-coast-health-alliance-sets-clinical-priorities-amid-vaccine-guidance-shifts

6. Gerlach A. Department of Health and Human Services announces removal of thimerosal from all US flu vaccines. Pharmacy Times. Published July 24, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/department-of-health-and-human-services-announces-removal-of-thimerosal-from-all-us-flu-vaccines

7. Halpern L. Thimerosal reenters public debate as ACIP scrutinizes use in influenza vaccines. Pharmacy Times. Published June 27, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/thimerosal-reenters-public-debate-as-acip-scrutinizes-use-in-influenza-vaccines

8. Halpern L. FDA alleges association between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism in children. Pharmacy Times. Published September 23, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-alleges-association-between-prenatal-acetaminophen-use-and-autism-in-children

9. Bach AT, Goad JA. The role of community pharmacy-based vaccination in the USA: current practice and future directions. Integr Pharm Res Pract. 2015;4:67-77. doi:10.2147/IPRP.S63822

10. Guidelines for pharmacy-based immunization: advocacy and administration. American Pharmacists Association. Published January 26, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2025. https://aphanet.pharmacist.com/sites/default/files/files/Guidelines_for_Pharmacy_Based_IMZ_Advocacy_Approved_Jan_26_2019.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

11. Shen AK, Tan ASL. Trust, influence, and community: Why pharmacists and pharmacies are central for addressing vaccine hesitancy. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2021;62(1):305-308. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2021.10.001