Pharmacy Students Say COVID-19 Pandemic Has Opened Their Eyes to the Value of Pharmacists

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on their experiences in pharmacy school, students at the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences said the pandemic has also opened their eyes to the important roles pharmacists play in health systems, communities, and throughout the country.

Third-year student Shayne Fontes said that in addition to reminding him of the importance of pharmacists, the COVID-19 pandemic made the public more aware of the services pharmacists provide. Not only are pharmacists drug experts, Fontes said, but they can also perform COVID-19 testing and vaccinations alongside physicians and other health care providers.

Shannon Patterson, another third-year student, said the pandemic completely changed her outlook on the pharmacy profession. Prior to the pandemic, Patterson said she was feeling burned out and a little defeated, but the pandemic showed her firsthand how people can engage with and learn from their pharmacists.