How Pharmacists Can Help

Helping patients live healthier lives

In addition to safely administering immunizations and providing medications, pharmacists offer lots of different services in their communities as part of their commitment to helping patients live healthier lives.

Want to learn more about the various ways pharmacists can help?

Beyond treatments for everything from asthma to diabetes and heart disease to providing personalized counseling and care, pharmacists can simplify your care with easy access to answers that bring you relief.

Pharmacists can also help address known barriers to care, and as scope of practice expands, so does the recognition of the pharmacist as the central support of a patient’s health care team optimizing patient health and well-being. Building a relationship and getting to know your local pharmacist can make a big difference in your health.

Visit your local pharmacy today and see what your pharmacist can do for your health!

Diabetes

A spoonful of sugar doesn’t always help the medicine go down. Did you know that more than 38 million people in the United States have diabetes, and more than 97 million U.S. adults have prediabetes? You can prevent—or manage—diabetes with help from your health care team, including your pharmacist. Pharmacists use their expertise to help you get your blood glucose under control and reach your goals. You’re not alone in managing your diabetes.

Safe medication use

You have medication questions; your pharmacist has answers. Pharmacists can help you maximize the benefit and minimize the risk of your medications by taking a broader and all-encompassing look at a patient’s medication list. Did you know your pharmacist can explain a medication label, tell you about interactions with other drugs or foods, package your tablets, reconcile and evaluate multiple medications to avoid errors, and be a bridge between you and your prescriber? Pharmacists are easy to reach and ready to help. Make sense of your medications.

COVID-19, flu, and other disease prevention

There are more than 500,000 immunization-trained pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in the United States. As part of your immunization neighborhood, pharmacists are there for you. In fact, pharmacists accounted for more than 74% of all vaccinations given during the 2023–2024 respiratory season in the United States. Your pharmacist also can guide you through other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pneumonia, shingles, or human papillomavirus, and help determine which immunizations are appropriate for you or a loved one. Protect your health.

Asthma and COPD

It’s time to breathe easier. Did you know that more than 27 million people in the United States have asthma, and 4.5 million of those are children? Or that nearly 16 million people are diagnosed with COPD? You can control your asthma or manage your COPD with help from your pharmacist, including instruction on how to use your inhaler properly to maximize your benefit. Pharmacists provide care to improve your quality of life.

OTC

Cough and cold. Pain. Fever. Upset stomach. Did you know that more than 300,000 OTC products are on the market to treat these and more? Pharmacists are trained in both prescription and OTC medications. They can tell you about potential interactions with foods, other drugs, or dietary supplements. They can also help you pick the perfect product. The right remedy is just a pharmacist away.

Supplements

Before you choose and use a dietary supplement, talk with your pharmacist. Did you know that FDA does not regulate supplements as it does with prescription and OTC medications? Pharmacists can tell you whether a supplement is from a reputable manufacturer that follows quality standards. They can also tell you how supplements, medications, and foods may interact. Team up with your pharmacist to live your best life.

High BP

Did you know that high BP puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke? About one in two U.S. adults has high BP. Measure up to your health and wellness goals by controlling your BP. Pharmacists can help you prevent and manage high BP through team-based care and ensure your BP is tested and documented on a regular basis. Don’t stress about your BP when pharmacists can save the day.

Pain management

Pain is the leading cause of adult disability, and if you have pain, you want relief. Pharmacists can take an active role in your pain management and help you make the best use of your medications. Manage pain safely with a plan from your care team, including your pharmacist.

Numbers of the profession

60,755

As of 2022, there were 60,755 community pharmacies across the United States, which included 37,954 (61.5%) chains, 23,521 (38.1%) regional franchises or independently owned pharmacies, and 240 (0.4%) government pharmacies. (Berenbrok 2022)

76.5
%

Within rural areas, 76.5% of pharmacies were regionally owned franchises or independently owned pharmacies. For those in larger metropolitan areas, 62.8% of pharmacies were chain locations. (Berenbrok 2022)

38

As of July 2026, pharmacists in 38 states can furnish HIV PrEP/PEP. Of those, in 23 states, pharmacists can provide PrEP and PEP, whereas in 4 states, pharmacists can provide PEP. In 9 states, a pharmacist can provide PrEP/PEP with prescriber collaboration such as collaborative practice agreement or standing order or statewide protocol; 4 states allow pharmacists to provide PEP with prescriber collaboration.

15.1
%

There are 15.1% more pharmacy locations within low-income communities than physician practices, and they offer 95.7% more operating hours than physician practices sites. (Popovian 2022)

2
x

Patients visit their pharmacy and their pharmacists twice as often as they visit their physician’s office and their primary care provider. (Valliant 2022, Berenbrok 2020)

34

As of October 2024, 34 states and D.C. authorize pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception. Pharmacists are permitted to prescribe oral contraception in all of these states and, in some states, may prescribe other contraception types. State scopes vary in their requirements for prescriptive authority and may require collaborative practice agreements, standing orders, or statewide protocols, and may also include age requirements, length of supply, and whether a patient needs a prior prescription from a physician.

89
%

As of 2022, 89% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy and a pharmacist. (Berenbrok 2022)

11

As of November 2024, pharmacists in 11 states can conduct test and treat for minor ailments (vary by state but may include, and are not limited to, influenza, group A streptococcus pharyngitis, COVID-19, RSV, lice, and skin conditions of ringworm and athlete’s foot) via prescriptive authority or statewide protocol.

22

As of November 2024, pharmacists in 22 states with some variability can test and treat for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or strep via prescriptive authority, statewide protocol, or other means that are limited to collaborative practice agreements or prescriber protocols that allow multiple patients and do not require past prescriber–patient relationship.