Pharmacists

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports collaborative practice agreements where pharmacists are members of physician-led, integrated care teams. The AAFP recognizes that pharmacy professionals are integral in delivering high-quality health care that optimizes the therapeutic effect of pharmaceutical agents in patient care. Pharmacy professionals play an important role in medication therapy review, maintenance of personal medication records, medication-related action plans, vaccine administration and documentation, patient education and counseling related to prescription and over-the-counter medications, and advising patients about lower-cost alternatives for prescription medications. These collaborative arrangements can include collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) in which qualified pharmacists work within the context of a defined protocol to implement treatment plans.

The American Academy of Family Physicians does not support independent prescription authority or diagnostic evaluation by pharmacists. Further, the AAFP opposes state legislation allowing pharmacists to dispense medication beyond the expiration of the original prescription for other than emergency purposes. 

(2002) (October 2023 COD)