Pharmacy Paths
Loren Bonner
How can the diverse roles pharmacists play across health care be communicated in a more unified and compelling manner?
Taylor MacKinnon, PharmD, who is with the University of Michigan Medicine, developed an infographic designed to communicate these various roles pharmacists play across different sectors—from drug development to positions in infusion and oncology in the ambulatory care space.
“Pharmacists are among the most accessible health care professionals, yet the full extent of their contributions is often not well understood outside the profession,” MacKinnon said. “Without intentional advocacy and public education, we risk continued loss of the pipeline of future pharmacists.”
The breadth and depth of pharmacy practice lacks transparency to the public, even among student pharmacists pursuing careers in health care, said MacKinnon.
She was motivated to develop the infographic and messaging to address the decline in pharmacy school applications.
MacKinnon said she hopes the infographic can serve as a dynamic tool for advocacy and education. For example, the infographic was updated to reflect a recent milestone from the profession—the 2025 launch of board certification in pain management.
“The infographic was intentionally designed as a visually engaging, multipurpose resource. I hope to see it utilized at career fairs, campus tours, educational outreach events, and any setting where prospective students or community members are learning about health care careers,” said MacKinnon. “It’s meant to spark curiosity and showcase the many meaningful paths available within pharmacy.” ■
APhA Career Pathway Evaluation Program for pharmacy professionals
Pharmacists play a critical role in advancing public health—from patient care to drug discovery and population-based health initiatives. Despite the wide range of opportunities in pharmacy, many student pharmacists and newly licensed professionals remain unaware of the full spectrum of career paths available.
The APhA Career Pathway Evaluation Program for Pharmacy Professionals remains a valuable resource for student pharmacists exploring career options. Visit www.pharmacist.com/Career/Career-Pathways to read more about this impactful program. ■
Scope of practice
Pharmacists enhance health outcomes beyond improved medication use. Integrated into the health care community of a patient, pharmacists optimize medication use and adherence, expand access to care, and reduce health care costs. Pharmacy practice includes many roles beyond dispensing medications and counseling patients, extending to providing patient-centered, team-based care across diverse settings.
Some states have adopted various strategies to unlock patient access to pharmacist-provided clinical services that align with pharmacists’ extensive education and training. Resources regarding state-specific scope expansions are available through the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations along with additional helpful information.
Mechanisms to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice include CPAs, autonomous prescribing, and credentialing.
Credentialing and privileging enhance pharmacists’ authority to provide patient care services. These programs were introduced by the Joint Commission to establish a process by which health care institutions can expand practice authority for providers within their organization, independent from federal and state law, while maintaining a high standard of quality and safety. The credentialing process verifies and assesses an individual’s qualifications to provide services, and the privileging process allows organizations to authorize an individual to perform within a specific scope of care.
Pharmacy Profiles is an NCQA-certified Credentials Verification Organization (CVO) that collects, maintains, and verifies credentials data, including licensure, sanctions, professional credentials, certifications, and other advanced practice training on the nation’s pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists. ■