Effects of Health Care Reform on Pharmacists

Abstract

Pharmacists who work in components of integrated health care systems (eg, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care agencies) have unique perspectives on health care reform. They and others are fostering the concept of pharmaceutical care, a practice model under which pharmacists assume greater responsibility for the outcome of medication use. If outpatient medications are covered under health care reform legislation, the law should call upon pharmacists to practice in a way that helps people make the best use of medications. Private sector reform will have several effects of interest to pharmacists, including more consolidation of providers and suppliers, increased cost containment pressures, increased incentives for clinical services by pharmacists, and increased protocol-directed practice. To help advance pharmaceutical care, pharmacists should document medication use problems, be assertive in assuming leadership on drug use issues, talk to patients about the pharmacist's role in health care, and keep in mind why people need pharmacists.