Redefining pharmacy leadership: Driving innovation in patient care and system efficiency

The evolving pharmacy: From medication dispensary to system leader

The scope of pharmacy practice has expanded dramatically in recent years. Pharmacists are now recognized for their ability to bridge clinical care, administrative decision-making, and financial stewardship. According to Staci A. Hermann, PharmD, MS, FASHP, FACHE—Vice President, Clinical Content at Wolters Kluwer—today’s pharmacists “are like the Swiss Army knives of healthcare,” adapting to the demands of clinical consultations, financial reviews, IT system configuration, and regulatory compliance.

Three major settings highlight the dynamic role of pharmacy leaders:

• Acute care (hospital settings): Pharmacists contribute to both cost stewardship and clinical excellence—crucial for organizations adopting value-based reimbursement models.
• Retail and specialty pharmacy: As care shifts closer to the community, these settings are focused on breaking down information silos and building a community of care, all while maintaining high standards for outcomes and patient experience. Explore how retail pharmacies are connecting care.
• Ambulatory Care pharmacists: In ambulatory and specialty clinics, pharmacists are central to chronic disease management, freeing up providers to serve more complex patients and streamlining the delivery of complex therapies, including those in oncology.

Collaboration and communication as drivers of success

Healthcare delivery is, fundamentally, a team effort. Pharmacists play a unique role in facilitating collaboration among clinicians, administrators, and IT professionals. By acting as trusted “translators,” pharmacists clarify treatment plans for both providers and patients, ensuring that multidisciplinary teams operate from a shared understanding. Hermann notes that pharmacists often “break down intricate treatment plans into actionable steps for everyone involved – from procurement of the medication all the way through the administration of said medication.”

Building this level of pharmacy trust and integration requires ongoing effort. Success depends on advocating for pharmacy’s value across the enterprise, engaging in education for clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, and strengthening interdepartmental relationships that support operational and clinical goals.

Strategies for pharmacy professionals to lead in complex healthcare environments

Forward-thinking pharmacy leaders are adopting new strategies to meet evolving demands. Key approaches include:

• Data-driven decision making: Pharmacy teams can use analytics to showcase their impact on clinical outcomes, safety, and costs. Data is increasingly vital in demonstrating pharmacy’s value to stakeholders and in supporting continuous performance improvement initiatives. Streamlined workflows and robust communication tools drive informed decisions.
• Team resilience: Rapid change—a global pandemic, policy overhaul, shifting clinical priorities—requires teams that are flexible and able to adapt. Investment in skills development, technology, and workflow improvements contributes to the resilience of pharmacy operations.
• Strategic partnerships: Aligning pharmacy initiatives with organization-wide goals—such as cost reduction or improved safety metrics—ensures pharmacy leaders have a meaningful voice in decision-making processes. Hermann recommends focusing discussions on system-wide performance and the tangible contributions pharmacy makes to patient care and financial health.

Pharmacy as a catalyst for healthcare transformation

The pharmacy profession stands at a crossroads. Its practitioners not only support but increasingly help drive the transformation of care systems. By leveraging data, technology, and collaborative leadership, pharmacy departments are setting new standards for patient care, operational performance, and system-wide integration.

For further insights into the evolving role of pharmacy—and practical strategies for leading within your organization—you can watch the on-demand webinar, "Lead the Evolution of Pharmacy."