Rural patients often struggle to access basic healthcare due to severe doctor shortages. A staggering 74 million Americans live in areas with healthcare shortages, and the United States could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. However, many states still prevent pharmacists from treating minor, protocol-driven conditions, despite being one of the most accessible healthcare professionals in these communities.
Pharmacists Can Help
Pharmacists are already located in many rural areas where physician access is limited. A nationwide analysis found that 88.9% of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and 96.5% live within 10 miles. For minor conditions, a pharmacy visit can be faster, closer, and less expensive than a trip to a doctor’s office, urgent care, or an emergency room.
Allowing pharmacists to test and treat routine conditions would not solve every cost problem in healthcare, but it would move simple care out of expensive settings and reserve doctors and hospitals for patients who actually need them. States like Virginia and Iowa have already implemented protocols that allow pharmacists to prescribe safely for specific conditions, such as COVID-19, urinary tract infections, influenza, and strep throat.
Pharmacists’ scope of practice does not need to be expanded dramatically to help patients. Standardized protocols can be used to handle common conditions like COVID-19, flu, strep throat, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Pharmacists should refer complex cases, red flag symptoms, recurring problems, high-risk patients, and young children to doctors when more in-depth medical care is needed.
Modernizing Scope-of-Practice Laws
As the healthcare system becomes more strained, states should regulate intelligently to protect patient safety without blocking access to routine care. Modernizing scope-of-practice laws would give patients faster access to basic treatment, reduce unnecessary pressure on physicians, and lower the cost of care by keeping minor illnesses out of more expensive settings.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
