Tariffs, Tensions, and Transformation: Pharmacy at a Crossroads

As public health funding becomes increasingly unstable and social discourse fuels confusion around evidence-based medicine, frontline pharmacy professionals are left navigating a landscape filled with uncertainty, loss, and opportunity. In this interview, Pharmacy Times speaks with Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, about the real-world consequences of federal funding cuts, shifting vaccine policies, and looming drug tariffs.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, is an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy, Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Division of the Black Diaspora and African American Studies, University of California San Diego; director of education at COPE Health Equity Collaborative; adjunct assistant professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine; research mentor, Loma Linda University Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy Fellowship. Abdul-Mutakabbir is also an associate editor on the editorial advisory board of the Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems journal.

Abdul-Mutakabbir, an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy, Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of the Black Diaspora and African American Studies, University of California San Diego; and director of education at COPE Health Equity Collaborative, has been prolific in her efforts focused on community-based care and public health education. Abdul-Mutakabbir shares how she and her colleagues are adapting—not only to preserve access and equity, but to reimagine what the future of pharmacy can look like in the future. From pausing new hires and losing vaccination partners to forming grassroots collaborations with community pharmacies, her story offers both a candid look at systemic strain and a hopeful call for innovation and resilience within the profession.

Pharmacy Times: What have been some of the results of recent funding cuts in terms of staffing?

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP: Staffing has been very uncertain. I think everyone is operating with the understanding that while we may have funding right now, there's no guarantee it will last. At my institution, we've had conversations about what cuts would look like if we lose funding. The mere possibility of cuts has made people treat each other with more compassion and humanity because we know that livelihoods could be at stake.

So far, we haven’t had to make any cuts, but the threat is real. Personally, I was considering hiring an assistant, but I’ve held off. I’m continuing to navigate the current research climate as I have been—cautiously. For the lab I work with, they usually take on student researchers, but they’re not doing that this year because we can’t guarantee we’ll be able to pay them. It’s essentially a hiring freeze until we have more clarity. That’s really detrimental, especially for science, which thrives on mentorship from experienced investigators. With this uncertainty, seasoned researchers are hesitant to bring on trainees. It’s definitely a negative impact.

Pharmacy Times: How has your day-to-day work been affected by shifting recommendations from newly elected officials regarding measles treatment, vaccine use, and other anecdotal medical advice?

Abdul-Mutakabbir: I continue to follow established guidelines and make recommendations based on evidence. I still advocate strongly for vaccines and emphasize the seriousness of measles. The recent uptick in cases isn’t new to me—I began seeing outbreaks in 2022 and have been counseling on MMR vaccination ever since.

I often share my personal example. When I checked my own measles titers and saw they were low, I got vaccinated again, especially because I work in community settings, including with pregnant women. It’s about protecting not just myself, but the people I serve.

I still get many questions from the community—people are trying to figure out what’s true. When conflicting recommendations started circulating, the community I work with reached out immediately, asking if I was coming back to provide information they could trust. That really meant a lot—it showed me that they not only value accurate information but also know who they can count on to provide it.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, with her mobile vaccination clinic team.

However, the cuts to HHS meant I lost my main vaccinating partner, who had to terminate all their staff responsible for community-based vaccine clinics. That was heartbreaking. Over 65% of the population is unvaccinated against respiratory illnesses annually, and now a vulnerable group is even more at risk.

Still, I’ve started exploring collaborations with local community pharmacies. That gives me hope. It’s encouraged me to think more creatively and build new relationships—not just for me, but for the community. If I can’t be there, I want to ensure they still have access to trusted pharmacists.

Pharmacy Times: Has your work and access to drugs been affected yet by recent tariffs? If this impact is expected to occur in the future, what are current expectations for how the tariffs may be most impactful?

Abdul-Mutakabbir: At the moment, my work hasn’t been directly impacted by tariffs because I’m conducting benchtop research using drugs that aren’t administered to humans. But I do anticipate costs will rise, especially for lab supplies we source from China. If tariffs continue, that will be a real concern.

I also worry about the broader implications for inpatient therapies. Many of the treatments we rely on come from outside the US, and if prices go up, it could severely impact access—especially for patients served by community hospitals. Those facilities often don’t have large budgets, and higher prices could mean they can’t afford standard-of-care treatments.

Abdul-Mutakabbir's team at a community vaccination site.

Vaccines are another concern. Because of recent funding cuts, I may have to personally cover some of the vaccine costs for the community work I do. If tariffs increase prices, that burden will grow. We haven’t finalized purchasing decisions yet—that conversation happens this Friday—but I’m anxious about what we’ll learn.

Ultimately, I worry that rising costs will further marginalize the most vulnerable patients. That’s what keeps me up at night.

Pharmacy Times: What would you like your fellow pharmacy professionals practicing across the country to know about how you and your colleagues are managing or preparing for the current state of flux our country is in relating to these issues and the state of health care in the country?

Abdul-Mutakabbir: If I could share one message, it’s this: Even though things feel gloomy, I’m holding onto hope. I don’t want to minimize anyone’s struggle, but I believe moments of uncertainty can also spark innovation.

These challenges have pushed me to rethink what’s possible in our profession. The funding changes have forced me to diversify my research, consider new angles—like the impact of my work on chronic diseases—and think outside of my comfort zone to find creative ways to serve the community.

They’ve also led me to pursue new collaborations—working with state health departments, for example, or connecting with community pharmacists in ways I hadn’t before. This is reshaping my idea of what community pharmacy can be, especially at the intersection of clinical and community roles.

I’m excited to share this with students. They’re learning in a time of flux, and that will make them more resilient and adaptable as clinicians. Adversity sharpens your skills. If they face hard times in the future, they’ll know they can persevere.

So yes, while it’s difficult right now, I’m hopeful. There’s opportunity in this moment—opportunity to build a better, more connected profession.