WSU research finds pharmacists prove effective, less costly care option for minor illnesses

Community pharmacist–provided care for minor conditions could be cost-effective, new research shows.

A research team from Washington State University (WSU) found that for minor illnesses—such as UTIs, shingles, animal bites, and headaches—care in pharmacies cost about $278 less compared with treatment for similar conditions in “traditional sites” of primary care, urgent care, or emergency department settings.

Most of the patients included in the research reported their illnesses were resolved after their initial pharmacist visit.

According to the researchers, treating all of the illnesses that were handled at the traditional site during the 3-year study would have saved an estimated $23 million in health care costs.

“The findings show that pharmacists, especially in the outpatient community setting, are a viable solution to part of our patient access to care problem in our state and country,” said lead researcher Julie Akers, PharmD. “Pharmacists are trained and qualified to do this work, and unfortunately in many settings, highly underutilized. And they could have a huge impact on how fast patients access care, which can minimize the complexity and the progression of their condition.”

The findings, published in ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, are based on data from nearly 500 patients who received care from 175 pharmacists at 46 pharmacies in Washington from 2016 to 2019. These cases were compared with insurance data for patients with conditions of the same type and level who received care at a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or emergency department during the same time period.