NACDS marks American Pharmacists Month

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is marking American Pharmacists Month by highlighting the growing role of pharmacies as destinations for healthcare, preventive services and wellness support.

Through its Nourish My Health initiative, NACDS is highlighting the services pharmacy teams provide beyond dispensing medications, such as vaccinations, health screenings, medication counseling, and nutrition guidance.

Pharmacists also increasingly test for and treat common illnesses, such as the flu and strep throat, where permitted by state law. For patients managing chronic conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, pharmacists can review medications, identify potential drug interactions, and provide ongoing counseling.

NACDS said that pharmacists’ accessibility and regular interactions with patients also create opportunities to address nutrition and its role in overall health. Nourish My Health encourages patients to ask pharmacists about screenings, healthy eating, and nutrition considerations related to medications and chronic conditions.

“American Pharmacists Month is a chance to thank the pharmacy teams that contribute meaningfully to their communities every single day,” said NACDS president and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Patients count on their local pharmacy for convenient, trusted care close to home, from vaccines and health screenings to medication counseling and guidance on healthy eating.”

Anderson also called for policies that enhance pharmacy teams’ ability to deliver care and protect access to community pharmacies.

About nine in 10 Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, according to NACDS, and four in five say that pharmacy healthcare services are easy to access.

Launched in 2023, Nourish My Health promotes health screenings, nutrition guidance, and efforts to improve nutrition security as part of a broader strategy to improve health and expand access to preventive care.