Walgreens commends elevated role pharmacists play in healthcare paradigm

DEERFIELD, Ill. – In celebration of American Pharmacists Month, Walgreens is recognizing its more than 27,000 community pharmacists for their dedication to patient care and the growing and important role they continue to play in health care today.



“In communities across the country, our pharmacists have become an integral part of the health care landscape and a trusted provider to millions of patients every day,” stated Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of pharmacy and retail operations. “Being customer- and patient-led in everything that we do starts with our pharmacists and other clinicians on the frontlines, providing personalized care and service. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to the profession, and to Walgreens customers and the communities we serve.”



Walgreens pharmacist-led programs are driving better medication adherence and patient outcomes and lowering overall health care costs.  Walgreens studies over the past 12 months also continue to demonstrate wider-ranging benefits across the health care spectrum as a result of the work pharmacists do, including fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.



In addition, Walgreens pharmacists are playing an integral role in the ongoing fight against prescription drug abuse, with the ability to dispense the lifesaving opioid antidote naloxone without a prescription at its pharmacies in 20 states.

 

Walgreens also recognizes its pharmacy technicians, with National Pharmacy Technician Day on Oct. 18;  and its Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as they are honored during National Physician Assistant Week (Oct. 6-12) and National Nurse Practitioner Week (Nov. 6–12).

 

“Walgreens Healthcare Clinic and pharmacy team members are the most accessible providers in the community, and providers that our patients know and trust,” Ashworth said.  “As we continue to offer more preventive health care services, work collaboratively with other providers and advocate for all of our clinicians to practice at the top of the licensure and training, we thank our nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacy technicians for delivering extraordinary care and support.”