World Pharmacists Day: Frontline Healthcare Providers Advancing Public Health and Improving Patient Outcomes
How Pharmacists Strengthen Communities, Improve Access to Care, and Support Health System Sustainability
Key Takeaways
Pharmacists are essential frontline healthcare providers who improve medication access, chronic disease management, and health equity while enhancing patient outcomes through community-based care. Myers & Stauffer supports sustainable Medicaid pharmacy programs with data-driven strategies, NADAC-based reimbursement models, and pharmacy benefit management oversight to improve transparency and public health outcomes.
Each year on September 25, World Pharmacists Day highlights pharmacists’ critical role in patient care and public health. The 2026 International Pharmaceutical Federation theme, “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” reflects expanding pharmacist responsibilities across community, hospital, and managed-care settings. As trusted healthcare professionals, pharmacists help improve medication access, promote patient safety, and support healthier communities through direct patient engagement and clinical expertise.
The Expanding Role of Pharmacists in Public Health
Pharmacists are career-long medication experts and frontline providers. With more than 335,000 pharmacists practicing in the country (BLS, 2024), they also deliver critical services beyond dispensing medications and immunizations, including:
Because pharmacists are often available without an appointment, they serve as one of the most accessible points of care within the healthcare system. This accessibility allows pharmacists to identify potential medication issues, support treatment adherence, and connect patients with additional healthcare resources when needed.
Advancing Health Equity Through Community-Based Care
Pharmacists also play an important role in addressing health disparities and advancing health equity. Working directly within local communities, they help patients overcome barriers related to transportation, health literacy, and access to care.
Many individuals interact with their pharmacist more frequently than with any other healthcare professional. As a result, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to educate patients, connect them with community resources, and help them navigate increasingly complex healthcare systems.
These efforts can improve medication adherence, reduce preventable hospitalizations, and support better long-term health outcomes, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.
A National Leader in Pharmacy Pricing and Reimbursement
Supporting Sustainable Medicaid Pharmacy Programs
Since 1977, Myers & Stauffer has helped shape pharmacy reimbursement practices nationwide through innovative consulting and technical expertise.
The firm serves as the sole contractor to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the development and maintenance of the NADAC pricing benchmark, which provides states with a transparent, market-based tool for establishing pharmacy reimbursement rates based on actual drug acquisition costs.
In addition, we partner with state agencies to strengthen pharmacy benefit management through reimbursement consulting, pharmacy policy expertise, and data-driven analyses. Our multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, accountants, lawyers, economists, and analysts provides expertise in:
These services help state agencies balance key objectives: improving access to medications, supporting fair and sustainable pharmacy reimbursement, and promoting fiscal responsibility across public health programs. By supporting evidence-based reimbursement methodologies and pharmacy program oversight, Myers & Stauffer helps state agencies make informed decisions that improve transparency, strengthen Medicaid pharmacy programs, and support better health outcomes for the populations they serve.
Meet the Experts Behind Our Pharmacy Consulting Services
One of Myers & Stauffer’s greatest strengths is the expertise and dedication of our people. Our skilled and talented pharmacists bring substantial experience in Medicaid pharmacy programs, managed care, reimbursement policy, and clinical pharmacy services.
Read on to see how each one of these Pharmacy team professionals addressed current or emergent issues that command attention and merit analysis from skilled professionals.
Linda Wiant, PharmD, PMCP
Healthcare Senior Manager
More than 30 years of pharmacy and clinical services experience“Across the country, we’re seeing states consider different options to improve healthcare in rural areas and increase access to providers – especially important in Medicaid populations that traditionally have transportation and access challenges.
One emerging strategy more states are adopting is using pharmacists to enhance basic healthcare access. Pharmacists are increasingly providing services such as administering immunizations or acting as primary care providers for minor, self-limiting conditions. For example, in some states, pharmacists can treat patients with influenza or prescribe oral contraceptives. We’ve helped clients understand how states are approaching this topic, including helping them implement new programs that reimburse pharmacists for clinical services beyond dispensing medications and counseling patients. As a pharmacist, I believe this is exciting and a win for everyone – pharmacists can practice as they were trained and patients have easier access to basic healthcare services.”
Natalie Hosier, PharmD
Healthcare Senior Manager
More than 18 years of pharmacy experience“Pharmacists are an integral part of the patient care team, serving as medication experts, administering vaccines, counseling patients, and providing test-to-treat services. As the most accessible healthcare providers, it is critical that pharmacists remain available to patients, especially as pharmacy closures across the country threaten to negatively impact patient care.
Fair and transparent reimbursement for the medications and services provided by pharmacies is essential to ensuring their continued accessibility. Our team has helped clients secure adequate reimbursement by conducting acquisition cost surveys and cost of dispensing surveys. This data supports changes to network payment policies, helping to maintain patient access by ensuring pharmacies receive fair reimbursement. We also work closely with clients to provide oversight of PBM services, ensuring compliance with state requirements regarding payment practices and policies. These efforts are instrumental in helping states oversee pharmacy reimbursement and networks, ultimately safeguarding patients’ access to the care they need.”
Luke Slindee, PharmD
Healthcare Manager
More than 18 years of pharmacy experience“The 2016 CMS Covered Outpatient Drug (COD) Final Rule (CMS-2345-FC) was a major inflection point for industry change, creating a new actual acquisition cost economic model for the pharmacy industry based on price transparency and incentives aligned for pharmacy and payer long term sustainability. While it started in Medicaid fee-for-service, industry reformers have worked to expand this new economic model to other payer types including Medicaid managed care, Medicare, and employer-based insurance.At every step, Myers & Stauffer has provided the critical public data infrastructure for the success of the new economic model and are widely viewed as experts in helping to facilitate a better future for patients, pharmacies, and payers.”
Myers & Stauffer: Strength in Numbers
Our Work at a Glance: Delivering Measurable Impact for State Agencies
Related Insights
Delivering Critical Services
As World Pharmacists Day recognizes the profession’s contributions, it also highlights the vital role pharmacists play in improving access to care, enhancing patient outcomes, and building healthier, more sustainable communities.
in the U.S. in 2025.
Why Myers & Stauffer?
For nearly 50 years, we have helped public health agencies strengthen programs for vulnerable populations. Our integrated expertise — pharmacists, analysts, attorneys, and economists — delivers actionable, compliant, and cost-effective solutions that improve access to medications and promote sustainable Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement. Protect access, improve outcomes, and strengthen your Medicaid pharmacy program. Contact our pharmacy consulting team to learn how NADAC-based pricing, PBM oversight, and policy solutions can support your goals. Contact a member of our team today.
Partner With Our Experienced Team
If you would like to know more, please contact:
Bobby Courtney, MA, MPH, JD
Principal
Email: bcourtney@mslc.com
Phone Number: 317-815-5475
Allan Hansen
Principal
Email: ahansen@mslc.com
Phone Number: 816-957-6230