Missouri law to expand role of pharmacists

KANSAS CITY, Mo. A new law in Missouri will expand pharmacists’ role in patient care, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

The new law will allow pharmacists, who are trained, to give flu shots to patients 12 and older, as well as other vaccinations as authorized by the patients’ physicians. Pharmacists will also be allowed to help manage the medication therapy of chronically ill patients, as long as they follow specific doctor’s orders.

“This is clearly the direction pharmacy is headed—toward more of a hands-on, patient-care profession in addition to the product or commodity side,” said Ron Fitzwater, chief executive officer of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.