Community pharmacies and the empowerment of self-care in the United States

BACKGROUND: As part of self-care, patients prevent diseases or conditions, maintain, or enhance their current health status, and address current health challenges. As a key member of the healthcare team, the role of the pharmacist in relation to self-care is important, given the ease of access to pharmacists in a variety of care settings. OBJECTIVES: To describe the structure and function of self-care within community pharmacies throughout the United States (U.S.). METHODS: The literature within the U.S. was reviewed related to self-care definitions and practice, the role and training of the pharmacist, and challenges and opportunities for pharmacists. RESULTS: Within the U.S., self-care is broader than simply products found in the “over-the-counter” (OTC) section of pharmacies; it includes pharmacists involvement in disease prevention, evaluation and maintenance of current health status, and assistance in managing health challenges. There is growing recognition of the significance of pharmacists in aiding patients in self-care, due to publication of outcomes related to pharmacist-provided self-care support. Accreditation standards require student pharmacists to develop knowledge and competency related to the broadest definition of self-care; resources exist related to curricular content and student evaluation and assessment support. The evolving role of the pharmacist in relation to self-care has presented challenges in terms of recognition and renumeration for services and workload issues. Efforts are currently underway to address these challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Spiraling health care costs, poor health outcomes, and continued health disparities indicate a need to better support U.S. patients on their health care journey, which often begins with self-care. There is a plethora of opportunities for pharmacists to advocate for expanding roles related to self-care, including participation in national efforts to recognize the outcomes of pharmacists in self-care.