Pharmacists Play an Important Role in Nutrition Education

March marks National Nutrition Month and a great time for pharmacists to get involved in nutrition through medication therapy management (MTM). First started as an annual monthlong event by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 1980, the theme for March 2025 is “Food Connects Us.”¹

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Appropriate nutrition works along with medications and exercise to improve health. Connecting with food through preparation and sharing meals with family and friends also highlights the importance of nutrition as a part of general wellness. Pharmacists play a vital role in nutrition education through MTM.

MTM and Nutrition

Approximately 60% of adults in the US are living with diet-related chronic diseases.² Food Is Medicine (FIM) is a movement created by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health held in September 2022.² The primary goal is to end hunger and lower the prevalence of chronic diseases in the US by 2030.² The HHS held its first FIM Summit in 2024 with a goal to ensure that the public has access to nutrition and diet-related resources.³ There are a variety of free online resources available for nutrition patient education along with continuing education for pharmacists and other health care professionals.²

The American Heart Association (AHA) issued a presidential advisory about FIM, noting that there have been limited studies conducted about these interventions.⁴ The AHA recognizes the important role diet plays in improving cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, they are conducting ongoing research with the Rockefeller Foundation about FIM initiatives.⁴ The AHA also recognizes the need to enhance professional educational programs in nutrition and FIM.

Pharmacists can play an important role in the FIM movement. This can include offering food pharmacies, hosting cooking demonstrations, raising awareness about the benefits of FIM, and developing nutrition classes.³ Food pharmacies are innovative programs that provide access to healthy options such as fruits and vegetables as a “prescription” for improved health. Evidence shows that patients believe pharmacists can provide nutrition education.³ Although there is not a requirement for nutrition classes to be part of the core curriculum, many pharmacy schools offer at least 1 course.³ Pharmacists serving as preceptors can also provide nutrition education to pharmacy students on their clinical rotations.

As part of a multidisciplinary health care team, pharmacists can develop and implement parenteral nutrition protocols.³ There are a variety of opportunities for pharmacists interested in nutrition to receive additional certifications or training. This includes the Nutrition Support Pharmacy Specialty Certification.⁵ There are currently more than 1160 pharmacists who have received this board certification.⁵ Other nutrition-related certificates include the nutrition support and weight management certificate programs through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.³

Pharmacists can play an important role in educating patients about the Nutrition Facts label.⁶ The FDA updated requirements to the Nutrition Facts label in 2016 to make it easier for consumers to make healthy food choices.⁶ Changes include displaying the calories and serving size information in large bold font and updating the daily values.⁶ Additionally, the FDA developed an educational campaign with newsletters, social media posts, and fact sheets to raise awareness in the community about these changes.⁶

On January 14, 2025, the FDA proposed requiring at-a-glance nutrition information on the front of most packaged foods, with a goal to reduce chronic diseases.⁷ It would also be referred to as the “Nutrition Info Box,” which would highlight saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars information. There is a public comment period about the proposed rule until May 16, 2025.⁷

REFERENCES

1. National Nutrition Month. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Updated October 16, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.eatright.org about-national-nutrition-month

2. Food Is Medicine: a project to unify and advance collective action. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Updated January 17, 2025. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/food-medicine

3. Cai J, Gonzalez AL, Arensberg MB. Nutrition’s role in quality healthcare in the United States: opportunities and education for pharmacists to take a bite of the apple and strengthen their skills. Pharmacy (Basel). 2024;12(4):103.doi:10.3390/pharmacy12040103

4. Volpp KG, Berkowitz SA, Sharma SV, et al; American Heart Association. Food Is Medicine: a presidential advisory from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2023;148(18):1417-1439. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001182

5. Nutrition Support Pharmacy. Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://bpsweb.org/nutrition-support-pharmacy/

6. The Nutrition Facts label. FDA. Updated March 5, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/nutrition-facts-label

7. FDA proposes requiring at-a-glance nutrition information on the front of packaged foods. News release. FDA. January 14, 2025. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-requiring-glance-nutrition-information-front-packaged-foods