Walgreens recognizes its 27,000 pharmacists as part of American Pharmacists Month
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday is recognizing its more than 27,000 community pharmacists for the important role they play in helping people get, stay and live well, as part of American Pharmacists Month in October. Walgreens pharmacists across more than 8,100 Walgreens and Duane Reade drug stores are helping to transform the role of community pharmacy by providing a wide range of preventive healthcare services — including immunizations, health testing, chronic care management, patient counseling and more — while helping to bridge notable gaps in care today.
“Pharmacy is at the core of our transformation from a retail drugstore to a health and daily living destination, and our pharmacists are among the most trusted healthcare professionals in thousands of communities nationwide,” stated Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness. "As we continue to transform community pharmacy, this month we recognize the critical role our pharmacists are playing to help improve medication adherence, increase immunization rates and to educate patients on the many changes that are taking place across the healthcare landscape."
During the 2012-2013 flu season, which was deemed the most severe in the United States in more than a decade, Walgreens pharmacists administered more than 7 million flu shots, and more than 1.5 million other immunizations during the company's last fiscal year.
Walgreens pharmacists are also playing an expanded role as part of patient care teams by working closely to coordinate care with hospitals, health systems and physician groups on medication adherence and transition of such care programs as WellTransitions, and serving on clinical teams for several accountable care organizations. With a greater need for access to healthcare services, the company has pharmacists with specialized training to help manage a growing number of such chronic conditions as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
October is also a time to thank and recognize pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns for the value they bring to communities and to the profession on National Pharmacy Technician Day, Oct. 22, the drug store retailer noted.