The Future of Pharmacy: What Jobs Will Dominate the Next Decade

 

The pharmacy profession is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancements, evolving healthcare delivery models, and shifting patient needs. Over the next decade, several key roles and trends are expected to dominate the pharmacy workforce.

Specialized Clinical Roles

• Chronic Disease Management: The rise in chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity is fueling demand for clinical pharmacists who work closely with healthcare teams to optimize medication therapies, reduce hospital readmissions, and improve patient outcomes.
• Oncology, Geriatrics, and Pharmacogenomics: Pharmacists with advanced training in these specialties are increasingly sought after to manage complex medication regimens and provide personalized care.

Technology-Driven Positions

• Medication Informatics Specialists: With the adoption of digital health records, data analytics, and AI, pharmacists are moving into roles that focus on improving medication safety and efficiency through informatics and automation.
• AI and Automation Oversight: As pharmacies integrate robotics and AI tools, pharmacists will be needed to oversee these systems, interpret machine learning models, and optimize drug therapies.

Expanded Scope of Practice

• Preventive Care and Immunization: Legislative changes are enabling pharmacists to provide a wider range of preventive services, including administering vaccines (beyond flu shots), conducting health screenings, and managing chronic diseases directly.
• Point-of-Care Testing: Pharmacists are increasingly authorized to conduct tests for conditions like HIV, diabetes, and cholesterol, broadening their direct clinical role.

Telepharmacy and Remote Care

• Virtual Pharmacy Services: Telepharmacy is expanding access to care in remote and underserved areas, with pharmacists providing medication counseling, therapy management, prescription verification, and patient education remotely.
• Flexible and Remote Work Models: The growth of telepharmacy and digital health is leading to more part-time, per-diem, and remote positions, offering greater work-life balance and flexibility.

Population Health and Research

• Population Health Management: Pharmacists will play a larger role in using data analytics to identify trends, manage medication use across populations, and develop community health strategies.
• Research and Innovation: There is increasing involvement of pharmacists in clinical trials, drug development, and the implementation of new therapies, bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care.

Pharmacy Technicians

• Technician Shortage: The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to rise sharply, with a projected 35% increase over the next five years, due to increased workload and high turnover rates.