Providence St. Joseph Health | Strategic Alliance Partners

With the introduction of expensive drugs and associated challenges for hospital budgets, pharmacy leaders benefit from strategically managing financial, clinical, and regulatory factors for sustainable care delivery.

Historically there was little distinction, but recent changes bring new challenges.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, MHA, said data are continuing to evolve around the safety and recommendations of COVID-19 booster doses, especially for the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.

Although many patients are hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccines, Humphreys said pharmacists are perfectly positioned to provide education.

The PSJH COVID Workgroup was formed after the concept arose out of the early work of physicians and pharmacists at PSJH.

Although the CDC and FDA have lifted the pause on Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, Humphreys said the vaccine now comes with a warning label, and ongoing safety reviews will be paramount to ensure its continued safety.