Embracing the future of clinical pharmacy

The Evolving Role of Pharmacists

In a recent article by U.S.Pharmacist,¹ Dr. Noelle Kwan, PharmD, BCPS noted that “pharmacists can serve alongside other healthcare professionals in managing chronic conditions by optimizing therapies, providing the appropriate education, assessing for barriers to therapies, improving medication adherence, and supporting patient safety” Pharmacist can take on active management of chronic conditions, leverage advanced technologies like telehealth for personalized medication management, and may even prescribe certain medications. Routine tasks, such as prescription filling, will increasingly be handled by automation, enabling pharmacists to dedicate more time to patient care, education, and preventive services.

Deloitte’s “The Future of Pharmacy” ² article emphasizes a shift toward a patient-centric pharmacy model that delivers a more digital, personalized healthcare experience. To become a destination for preventive care, pharmacies must expand their business capabilities, staff expertise, and operational capacity. Fortunately, this transformation doesn’t have to be undertaken alone. Expert strategies are available to help address key challenges such as improving efficiency, managing costs, optimizing reimbursement, enhancing cash flow, and navigating disruptive innovations.

To support clinical service expansion, Cencora has partnered with EnlivenHealth to bring Pharmacy Clinical Practice by State tool to AB Solutions Portal. This resource provides pharmacies with up-to-date information about clinical services available in their state, including legislative support, billing prerequisites, medical billing codes, and reimbursement activities. By using this tool, pharmacies can stay informed and grow their clinical services to better serve their communities.

With reimbursement for clinical services being a concern for scope expansion, The Elevate Provider Network has contracted with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Cigna) to enable eligible Elevate pharmacies to bill for ancillary clinical services under a Cigna member’s medical benefit. Eligible pharmacies can provide enhanced services, create additional patient touchpoints, and foster stronger loyalty while improving community health outcomes.

Services covered under the Cigna Ancillary Services Agreement may include:

Eligible pharmacies can provide a range of clinical services, including:

• Vaccinations
• Point-of-care testing
• Medical injectables
• Prescribing certain medications (based on state scope of practice)

Eligible pharmacies can administer a wide range of services such as vaccines, tests, medications, and evaluation codes. Pharmacists must verify patient eligibility before providing services, as not all services or patients may qualify. Coverage can vary by plan.

Looking Ahead

The future of pharmacy is bright, with opportunities to redefine the profession as a cornerstone of preventive and personalized care. By embracing automation, leveraging technology, and expanding clinical services, pharmacies can position themselves as vital healthcare providers in their communities. Whether it’s managing chronic conditions, offering advanced clinical services, or adopting new tools like the Scope of Practice Tool, pharmacies have the resources and partnerships needed to succeed in this evolving landscape.

Start preparing your pharmacy today to embrace the future of clinical care and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of your patients. Reach out to your business performance coach or clinicalsolutions@cencora.com for more information.

_{1 U.S. Pharmacist. (2026). Pharmacists’ role in expanding healthcare equity. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/pharmacists-role-in-expanding-healthcare-equity 
2 Deloitte Insights. Accessed 2026. The future of pharmacy: Disruption, opportunities, and challenges. Deloitte. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/Industries/life-sciences-health-care/articles/future-of-pharmacy-disruption-opportunities-challenges.html}