Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, who noted pharmacists’ vital role in public health in an op-ed published February 8 in the Omaha World-Herald, remains a go-to source of expertise amid the coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Khan is pictured here during an appearance on CNBC on February 20.
In his Omaha World-Herald op-ed, Dr. Khan noted:
“Funding aside, not enough has been done to leverage the array of partners who extend the public face of public health. Retail clinics and community pharmacists come to mind quickly.
Progress has been made in expanding pharmacists’ vaccination authority and allowing them to screen and even help to treat an array of illnesses. However, many states lag behind, despite strong public desire for increased access to pharmacist-provided services.
A study published in 2018 in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that approximately 6 million Americans per year who did not previously get the flu shot now do as a result of public policy changes that have expanded pharmacists’ authority to vaccinate. A key public health message for this epidemic is for individuals to be vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
Much upside potential exists if needless state barriers are eliminated. Overcoming these barriers includes expanding consumers’ access and coverage to recommended vaccines in community care settings, and establishing emergency standing orders that allow for needed medications to be furnished to a patient.”
Dr. Khan is a retired assistant surgeon general, and he currently serves as dean and professor of the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.
