Unbiased Science

Pharmacists' Role In Public Health: Side Effects May Include Hope

Feb 25, 2026
Guest
Christina Madison
Dr. Christina Madison, residency-trained clinical pharmacist and founder of The Public Health Pharmacist, champions health equity and vaccine confidence. She explores pharmacists' broad public-health roles and why they remain underutilized. The conversation covers pharmacies as access points for underserved communities, differences between chain and community pharmacies, pricing tools like TrumpRx, and why building trust with pharmacists matters.
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INSIGHT

Pharmacists Are Medication Experts Not Just Pill Counters

  • Pharmacists are medication experts who can manage treatment once a diagnosis exists rather than diagnose conditions.
  • Christina Madison emphasizes pharmacists' residency training, ICU experience, and role preventing medication errors before drugs reach patients.
ADVICE

Use Pharmacists For Medication Management And Prescribing

  • Seek pharmacists for medication management services like dose adjustments, lab review, and screening because they can provide ongoing care.
  • Christina notes states that allow pharmacist prescribing (e.g., Nevada for PrEP and contraception) expand access, especially in low-resource areas.
INSIGHT

Pharmacies Reduce Practical Barriers To Care

  • Pharmacies extend access via longer hours and neighborhood presence, reducing barriers like transportation and childcare.
  • Madison frames pharmacy deserts as deliberate inequities that worsen health access in certain communities.
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