Let’s Strengthen and Expand Medical Care in the Bay State
While the holiday season is a joyful time of year, especially in scenic New England, it also marks the rise of many respiratory illnesses. And this season’s reports indicate that the state associated with our Thanksgiving traditions is staring down the prospect of a “tripledemic” of respiratory viruses: influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
As if this weren’t bad enough, Massachusetts is grappling with a confluence of other nagging health care issues. A wave of physician retirements, physician burnout and difficulty securing appointments threatens to worsen the situation. But these circumstances aren’t new. For example, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, a study found that 70 percent of physicians reported burnout. Reducing physicians’ stress and improving residents’ ability to access medical care for simple health care needs requires a forward-thinking strategy.
Massachusetts legislators have proposed such a solution, which would allow pharmacists to relieve some physicians’ burdens to better serve patients. Under Senate Bill 1425 and House Bill 4066, pharmacists would be allowed to test and screen for common illnesses like flu, COVID-19, RSV, strep throat and urinary tract infections. They would also be able to prescribe medications and initiate other treatment for these afflictions. If adopted, these measures would expand access to healthcare, lower medical costs and improve health outcomes.
Allowing pharmacists to handle these duties isn’t an untested, half-baked idea. Pharmacists have proven their ability to meet patient needs for many primary care-related issues. The pandemic highlighted the expanded roles pharmacists can play in addressing community medical needs. Pharmacists were integral in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by distributing vaccines, conducting testing and prescribing treatments for the virus. They were able to play this pivotal role because—besides being highly competent medical providers—pharmacists are also more accessible to patients than other medical professionals.
Nearly half of all U.S. communities have just one primary care physician per 1,500 people; however, 89 percent of the population lives within five miles of a pharmacy. Additionally, many in the Bay State and beyond experience difficulty securing medical appointments. But while expanding the scope of practice for all 7,480 pharmacists in Massachusetts would allow them to diagnose and treat a range of maladies, access isn’t the only factor to consider. Cost is also crucial.
With the median cost of a physician visit at $116, patients would likely save money and time by visiting a pharmacist to run basic tests, interpret the results and prescribe relevant medication—all in one visit. For example, while individuals who lack health insurance currently pay around $90 for a pharmacy visit to screen and obtain treatment for flu, the same visit to a primary care provider could cost $200.
As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, pharmacists can do much more than dispense medication. Though the requirement varies by state, pharmacists in Massachusetts must complete at least six years of postsecondary education. They are trained to help patients manage chronic disease, provide self-care recommendations, administer vaccines, provide medication therapy, test for various ailments and check for contraindications. Furthermore, patients see their pharmacist more often than their doctor, making pharmacists an accessible health care touchpoint. Given pharmacists’ expertise, expanding their scope of practice has the potential to greatly improve health outcomes.
Research has found that allowing pharmacists to assume a larger role in health care improves patient health. States that have granted pharmacists the authority to dispense the opioid antagonist naloxone have witnessed a 34 percent reduction in opioid-related overdose deaths. Other studies have noted that patients who receive pharmacist-prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of contracting HIV—which would be allowed under the Massachusetts legislation—show stronger adherence to the treatment. Similar benefits have been documented in states that allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, including improved quality of life, fewer unintended pregnancies and an increase in birth control prescriptions.
If Massachusetts lawmakers choose to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice, Bay Staters will gain access to additional medical practitioners who can help them through the looming “tripledemic” and diagnose and treat other common conditions moving forward. This will lead to improved health outcomes, greater access to medical services and lower costs. Adopting Senate Bill 1425 and House Bill 4066 will help everyone in the Commonwealth enjoy the holidays without the accompanying seasonal health issues.