We appreciated Gross et al's article 1 and wish to highlight additional roles of clinical pharmacists (CP) in ambulatory care settings during the COVID‐19 pandemic:
Telehealth visits: CP are now using telehealth to provide chronic care management. They continue to modify treatments for disease control and if needed, initiate effective medications with minimal laboratory monitoring requirements to keep patients home. In addition, CP screen at every encounter for COVID‐19 exposure/symptoms and provide education on precautions and when to seek treatment. With ongoing continuity of care and triaging, the goal is to keep patients healthy and hospitals from becoming unnecessarily overwhelmed.
Medication stewardship: Certain medications taken chronically for autoimmune conditions, such as hydroxychloroquine, are now in shortage. CP are part of working groups to develop processes to inform prescribing of these medications and guide outpatient pharmacy dispensing. CP are also directing patients to pharmacies where supply is available and identifying therapeutic alternatives as needed.
Medication coordination: For required laboratory monitoring, CP are coordinating with external laboratory facilities to help minimize patient exposure. CP are also contacting patients receiving medications in the infusion center or clinic to address COVID‐19 concerns, discuss the institution's implemented screening measures, and determine if transition to home administration is preferred. For patients who no‐show to the infusion or clinic appointment, CP provide outreach to identify barriers and assist with rescheduling. CP also help with refills and prescription transfers to mail order pharmacies to optimize medication delivery.
Insurance coordination: Self‐monitoring equipment (eg, point‐of‐care machines), infusions, and specialty medications require insurance coordination. CP oversee this process to minimize treatment disruption/discontinuation. CP also provide resources for patients unable to afford their medications.
CP in various settings have numerous roles in caring for patients during COVID‐19. We hope advocacy efforts to advance our profession during this time are recognized. 2
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- 1. Gross AE, MacDougall C. Roles of the clinical pharmacist during the COVID‐19 pandemic. J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2020;1–3. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Pharmacy Organization's Joint Policy Recommendations to combat the COVID‐19 pandemic. Available from: https://www.ashp.org/‐/media/assets/pharmacy‐practice/resourcecenters/Coronavirus/docs/Pharmacist‐frontlineCOVID19.ashx?la=en&hash=1A5827F821D22FD7C75DDEEF815326BDA88469FF&hash=1A5827F821D22FD7C75DDEEF815326BDA88469FF.