The Benefits and Challenges of Telepharmacy

Course overview

Telepharmacy, or the delivery of pharmacy care to patients via telecommunications, has been practiced in the United States for almost a century. Its use has expanded to serve remote, rural communities and other underserved patient groups in recent decades. More recently, telepharmacy was spurred by the social and public health concerns created by the COVID-19 pandemic when face-to-face contact was discouraged. Telepharmacy can improve patient care and outcomes but also comes with challenges. This technology profoundly changes how people communicate and interact, which can lead to outcomes that may not be beneficial. Also, a new question has arisen now that the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. It asks, What should telepharmacy look like now that there is no public health emergency? Pharmacists and pharmacy staff aware of these challenges and issues can mitigate them and help address them through proper education and practice.