Pharmacists' Patient Care Process: A State "Scope of Practice" Perspective

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Law
• Health Policy
• Patient Care

Background:

• The Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) outlines comprehensive patient care services provided by pharmacists.
• Existing state laws may create barriers to pharmacists fully implementing the PPCP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the intersection of state laws and the PPCP.
• To identify specific state laws that hinder optimal patient care delivery by pharmacists.

Main Methods:

• A review of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process.
• Analysis of state laws impacting pharmacist scope of practice.

Main Results:

• Six key areas were identified where state laws limit pharmacist engagement: laboratory testing, collaborative practice agreements, independent prescribing, medication adaptation, medication administration, and delegation.
• A framework was developed to understand the interrelationships of these scope of practice issues.

Conclusions:

• State laws must be updated to allow pharmacists full participation in the PPCP.
• Enabling pharmacists to fully engage in patient care can enhance delivery, improve outcomes, and decrease overall healthcare expenditures.