Missing from the Healthcare Team: Why Every Clinic Needs a Clinical Pharmacist
Why Are Clinical Pharmacists Still Missing from Many Healthcare Teams?
When you think of a healthcare team, you likely picture a doctor, nurse, maybe a dietitian — but often, a critical player is missing: the clinical pharmacist.
Despite their extensive training, pharmacists are underused in primary care, specialty clinics, and even wellness practices.
It’s time to change that.
What Does an Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist Do?
An ambulatory care clinical pharmacist specializes in chronic disease management outside of the hospital setting.
They help patients manage conditions like:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- High Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Asthma and COPD
- Blood Thinners (Anticoagulation)
- Multiple Medications (Polypharmacy)
- Smoking Cessation
- Obesity and Weight Management
- Heart Failure
- Osteoporosis
Clinical pharmacists:
✅ Review and optimize medication therapy
✅ Educate patients on how and when to take medications
✅ Monitor for side effects and interactions
✅ Collaborate with the healthcare team to create treatment plans
✅ Improve patient adherence and outcomes
Fun Fact: Studies show pharmacists significantly improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels compared to usual care!
Nontraditional Roles: Pharmacists Beyond the Hospital and Retail Pharmacy
Today, pharmacists are breaking barriers and working in exciting new areas:
- Emergency Room Pharmacists
Managing urgent medications, toxicology, and rapid response interventions. - Critical Care Pharmacists
Guiding medication use for ICU patients in life-threatening situations. - Oncology and Transplant Pharmacists
Assisting patients through complex cancer treatments and organ transplants. - Psychiatric Pharmacists
Helping optimize medications for mental health conditions. - Pain Management Pharmacists
Playing a central role in fighting the opioid crisis. - Geriatric/Consultant Pharmacists
Helping older adults avoid dangerous medication combinations.
Other Nontraditional Paths
- Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)
Bridging pharma companies with real-world clinicians by sharing research and drug data in the field. - Regulatory and Policy Consultants
Guiding agencies and companies on medication safety, approval processes, and patient access issues. - Pharmacogenomics Experts
Using DNA testing to optimize medication selection for personalized medicine plans.
Functional Medicine Pharmacists: Root-Cause Healing
A growing area where pharmacists shine is functional medicine — a personalized, science-based approach that addresses the root causes of disease.
Functional medicine pharmacists integrate:
- Nutrition and gut health support
- Blood sugar stabilization
- Detoxification strategies
- Mind-body and stress management techniques
- Personalized supplement and lifestyle planning
This holistic approach often helps patients reduce medications, improve symptoms, and feel their best.
Rx Health and Wellness Tip: In our practice, we combine the best of clinical pharmacy and functional medicine to empower women over forty to take control of their health naturally.
Corporate and Consultant Roles
Public Health and Outreach Pharmacists
Addressing social determinants of health in underserved communities through outreach clinics, vaccination programs, or chronic disease screenings.Pharmacist Consultants in Corporate Wellness
Partnering with companies to reduce employee healthcare costs, improve productivity, and prevent burnout through medication reviews and wellness programs.Pharmacists in Digital Health & AI
Contributing to app development, AI-driven medication platforms, wearable integrations, and remote monitoring systems.
Education and Media Roles
- Pharmacy Educators and Curriculum Developers
Teaching at pharmacy schools, developing continuing education (CE) courses, or offering clinical pharmacology education to other healthcare professionals. - Health Influencers and Online Educators
Using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and podcasts to demystify chronic disease, medications, and lifestyle medicine. Some pharmacists reach thousands — even millions — of people with simple, digestible health content. - Course Creators and Online Entrepreneurs
Creating online workshops, masterclasses, and educational programs on topics like diabetes management, blood sugar balance, or functional medicine.
💡 Tip from Rx Health and Wellness: Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling and education. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to translate complex science into actionable insights.
Pharmacy Entrepreneurship Is on the Rise
Forward-thinking pharmacists are stepping into entrepreneurial roles, such as:
- Starting private consulting practices (functional medicine, diabetes management, medication reviews)
- Offering telehealth services and group coaching programs
- Creating supplement lines, online courses, and wellness products
- Speaking at healthcare conferences or hosting workshops
The future of pharmacy is cognitive, consultative, and entrepreneurial.
Why Clinical Pharmacists Are Essential to Patient Success
Adding a pharmacist to a healthcare team leads to:
- Better chronic disease management
- Lower hospitalizations and emergency visits
- Fewer medication errors
- Greater patient education and empowerment
A pharmacist’s deep understanding of pharmacotherapy, combined with lifestyle optimization strategies, helps patients get better faster and stay healthy longer.
Challenges — and How We Overcome Them
Although the benefits are clear, pharmacists often face:
- Limited billing opportunities
- Misunderstandings about their capabilities
- Resistance from traditional healthcare models
At Rx Health and Wellness, we advocate for a new model of care where pharmacists, doctors, and health coaches collaborate to deliver exceptional, personalized care.
Conclusion: A Vital Piece of the Puzzle
The modern pharmacist is not confined by walls or white coats.
Whether in a clinic, on camera, online, or in boardrooms, pharmacists are innovating how healthcare is delivered — especially when it comes to preventing, reversing, and managing chronic disease.
We need more pharmacists in these spaces.
And we need more awareness from patients, providers, and health systems that pharmacists are among the most underutilized, yet highly trained, health professionals available.
References:
- Carter BL, et al. “The Impact of Clinical Pharmacists on Reducing Healthcare Costs and Improving Outcomes: A Systematic Review.” Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020.
- Institute for Functional Medicine. What is Functional Medicine? Accessed 2025.
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). The Clinical Pharmacist’s Role in Patient Care.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Role of Pharmacists in Preventive Health Care.