Frost & Sullivan: Economic Downturn Compelled Pharmacists in the United States to Assume Additional Responsibilities

Pharmacists perceive themselves as having a strong say in patients' purchase decisions

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Apr 03, 2012, 09:33 ET

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmacists in the United States consider their roles challenging and dynamic, as they have evolved from mere product orientation (dispensing medicines) to patient focus (managing healthcare costs and disease states as well as patient counseling). The economic downturn has had much to do with this change in job profile, since pharmacists had to tackle additional tasks during that period. The increase in responsibilities has left them with inadequate time to discharge their primary duties and has cut into their interaction time with patients.

New analysis from (http://www.pharma.frost.com) Frost & Sullivan Speaks Candidly with U.S. Pharmacists encompasses feedback provided by a healthcare pharmacist research panel consisting of 10 to 15 pre-selected participants. Questions posed to the pharmacist panel covered the following main topics: the role of the pharmacist, patient management services, pharmacy trends, information technology and applications, and future trends.

If you are interested in more information on this research, please send an email to Britni Myers, Corporate Communications, at [email protected], with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company email address, company Web site, city, state and country.

"The slowdown has affected the number of pharmacists in the short term; however, their numbers are expected to grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018 from 269,900 to 315,800 pharmacists," said a Frost & Sullivan industry analyst. "This is as a result of increased demands, such as PharmD requirements, for all pharmacists, including those employed with patient care and mail-order pharmacies."

Additionally, pharmacists indicate that they are a trusted and authoritative influence on patients' purchase patterns, especially for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

Pharmacists also claim that they are often considered medication experts and, thereby, are viewed as important healthcare assets that are vital to improve medication safety. They even foresee a future where pharmacists will be able to prescribe.

"Pharmacists believe that impending trends in retail pharmacy include increased medication therapy management (MTM), volume, number of vaccinations offered, and consolidation through mergers and acquisitions," said the Frost & Sullivan industry analyst. "They do not view Internet pharmacies as a threat to retail, as they believe they can generate footfalls through customer service."

Frost & Sullivan Speaks Candidly with U.S. Pharmacists is part of the Life Sciences Growth Partnership Services program, which also includes research in the following markets: Analysis of the United States Contract Manufacturing Outsourcing Market, The Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Drug Market in Indonesia, Biologics Market in Brazil, Analysis of the United States Glaucoma Pharmaceuticals Market, and Specialty Physicians Discuss their Opinions of the United States Biosimilars Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Frost & Sullivan Speaks Candidly with U.S. Pharmacists
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Contact:
Britni Myers
Corporate Communications – North America
P: 210.477.8481
F: 210.348.1003
E: [email protected]

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan