In this episode, Dr. Thomas Franko, PharmD, president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacist's Association talks with Todd Eury, CEO & Founder of the Pharmacy Podcast Network about his 'Vision for the Role of the Pharmacist in 2022'.Most people see pharmacists behind the counter dispensing pills and occasionally giving advice on prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications; they may sometimes remind customers of preventive screenings or flu shots. But pharmacists are capable of much more. As part of their professional degree, they receive extensive training on medication management to optimize treatment options, manage medication side effects, interactions and duplications, interpret lab results, perform physical exams, and administer vaccines. --from Deloitte Insights The pandemic increased opportunities for pharmacists to deliver hands-on care. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave pharmacists the authority to order and administer COVID-19 tests, childhood vaccines (3–18 years of age), and COVID-19 vaccines.4 Subsequently, pharmacists, interns, and pharmacy technicians were on the front lines, testing for COVID-19, giving shots, and educating the public, all the while keeping their doors open throughout the pandemic. These efforts elevated the public's perception of pharmacists and offset the burden on other parts of the health care system, providing an opportunity for the profession to redefine its role and value.

About Dr. Thomas Franko, PharmDDr. Franko is the PPA's on-coming President for 2022. After service as a clinical pharmacist in outpatient chronic pain management, Dr. Franko joined Wilkes University in 2013. He maintains an ambulatory care practice site with the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Kingston, PA. He is involved with medication therapy management for several chronic diseases, especially pain management, at the Wright Center. Along with pharmacy students, Dr. Franko trains pharmacy and medical residents from Moses Taylor Hospital and The Wright Center. He is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. His interests are in pain management, substance use disorder and harm reduction strategies.Education and Training

Doctor of Pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA

Pharmacy Practice Residency, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA

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