Embrace the Expanding Opportunities

As health care continues to evolve, so does the role of the pharmacist. The traditional model of dispensing medications is increasingly being complemented by a more clinical, patient centric approach. In 2025, pharmacists are poised to play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and reducing health care costs.

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One of the most significant trends is the growing emphasis on medication therapy management (MTM), which involves pharmacists working directly with patients to optimize their medication regimens, ensuring that they are taking the right medications at the right dose and at the right time. Pharmacists also provide education on proper medication use, adverse effects, and potential interactions, and they work with physicians to select the right treatments.

In this month’s MTM Consult article, author Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, discusses how MTM is crucial in preventing antimicrobial resistance. Ahead of Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 18 through 24, pharmacists can remind themselves of this crucial role and how they can educate the health care team, patients, caregivers, and the community about this growing issue.

Additionally, pharmacists are becoming increasingly involved in chronic disease management; they can help patients with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure develop individualized treatment plans and monitor their progress. By leveraging their expertise in pharmacology and patient care, pharmacists can help patients achieve better health outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

In this month’s Patient Focus article, Katelyn Galli, PharmD, RPh, BCCP, BCPS, highlights an often-overlooked aspect of counseling on chronic disease management: proper pen needle usage. For patients with diabetes or the rapidly growing group of patients using injectable weight loss medications, understanding the importance of using a new pen needle for each injection is crucial. Counseling on the correct needle gauge and size and the proper injection technique and location improves both patient safety and outcomes.

By embracing the expanding responsibilities in MTM, chronic disease management, patient education, and more, pharmacists can make a significant contribution to improving patient outcomes and reducing health care costs. In 2025 and beyond, pharmacists will be at the forefront of providing personalized, patient-centered care. As they continue to develop their clinical skills and expertise, pharmacists will be well positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

As always, thank you for reading.