Pharmacists’ Roles Are Expanding Rapidly

Community pharmacists are increasingly stepping into roles that extend well beyond traditional dispensing, as they become more integrated into direct patient care. Historically, conditions such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders were primarily managed within health systems or long-term care settings. Today, however, community pharmacists are taking on greater responsibilities with identifying at-risk patients, counseling on new therapies, and monitoring ongoing treatment, particularly as more patients remain in the community setting longer and seek accessible care close to home.

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One of the most significant shifts has been the involvement of community pharmacists in supporting patients with Alzheimer disease, as discussed by Anjeza Fero, PharmD, RPh, in a feature article in this issue. As novel therapies, including disease-modifying antiamyloid antibodies, move toward subcutaneous formulations, the management of these treatments may increasingly occur in outpatient or community-based settings.

Elsewhere in this issue, Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, highlights the importance of proper drug disposal—another topic pharmacists can discuss with patients and caregivers. With decreasing rates of overdose deaths in recent years,¹ pharmacists can be a major part of the solution to this crisis by educating patients about proper storage and disposal options for the drugs, including providing disposal kiosks in community pharmacies.

In the August issue of Pharmacy Times, a feature article discussed counseling points for parents concerned about vaccines, particularly during back-to-school season. This month, a feature article by Adam James, PharmD, continues that discussion, with a focus on parental concerns about aluminum in vaccines. Understanding why each ingredient is included in a vaccine formulation and being able to assuage parents’ fears are crucial parts of the pharmacist role, particularly during the concerning decrease in vaccine rates among children and adolescents.²

Together, the articles in this issue of Pharmacy Times highlight how the profession continues to evolve with the needs of patients and the broader health care system. Whether guiding families through complex Alzheimer disease therapies, educating communities about safe medication practices, or addressing vaccine concerns with clarity and compassion, pharmacists remain a trusted and accessible resource. As their roles expand, so does their impact, as they help patients, caregivers, and communities navigate an increasingly complex landscape of care with confidence and support.

As always, thank you for reading.