ABSTRACT

Over the last several decades, pharmacists have been trained in a more clinically oriented fashion. Researchers have established that communication between pharmacists and patients is important for improving appropriate medication use and achieving desired patient outcomes. Patient-centered care has been embraced as the mission of pharmacy and pharmacists have become required by law to talk with patients about medications. Recent estimates show, however, that approximately 60% of the patients who receive prescriptions in pharmacies do not talk with their pharmacist about health-related aspects of their medications.