U.S. Public Health Service Report Outlines Mechanisms to Encourage Advanced Pharmacy Practice
A new report released by U.S. Public Health Service provides a resource to advance beyond discussion of pharmacists in expanded roles and move toward implementation. The report has also earned support for the recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and clinicians. The report, Improving Patient and Health System Outcomes through Advanced Pharmacy Practice – A Report to the Surgeon General 2011, produced letters of support from prominent members of the medical community including the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA.
“The report demonstrates through evidence-based outcomes, that many pharmacy practice models improve patient and health system outcomes and optimize primary care access and delivery,” stated Benjamin in her letter of support for the report. “It also provides the evidence health leaders and policy makers need to support evidence-based models of cost effective patient care that utilize the expertise and contributions of our nation’s pharmacists as an essential part of the healthcare team.”
The report provides rationale and discussion points to support pharmacists currently delivering patient care services through collaborative practice agreements with physicians and other primary care clinicians, as an accepted model of improved health care delivery that can meet growing health care demands in the United States. Timing of this discussion is vital as health reform has stimulated exploration of innovative care models and payment reform to improve access to care, improve the quality of care, and provide cost-effective care. The report discusses current and future demands on the health care system, including the challenge of aligning health care coverage with access to care, the increasing burden of chronic care needs and primary care provider shortages.
View the full report to the US Surgeon General and the support letter signed by Dr. Benjamin.