The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation has released a white paper entitled, "Expanding the Role of the Community Pharmacist in Managing Depression." The white paper is intended to serve as an outline for how the pharmacist's collaborative role might be enhanced and made more effective in helping patients and caregivers manage the burden of depression.

Depression affects more than 19 million people each year. The disease results in 400 million lost work days each year, and if left untreated, cost more than $43.7 billion in absenteeism from work, lost productivity, and direct treatment costs. To assess the level of care and services currently provided by community pharmacists to patients with depression, the APhA Foundation convened a group of national experts and caregivers in mental health and depression to serve on a Coordinating Council.

The Council identified numerous opportunities, strategies and recommendations for community pharmacists to undertake enhanced roles in helping patients with depression and concluded that the disease is best managed by collaboration among patients and their health care providers.

"Community pharmacists are accessible, trusted and respected resources and are therefore in a unique position to help patients suffering from depression through enhanced medication therapy management," said William Ellis, APhA Foundation Executive Director and CEO."

The white paper discusses a number of topics including the identification of patients at risk, the needs of patients and their caregivers, as well as emerging roles for pharmacists and their impact. The white paper also features a resource section for additional information on managing depression.

View and download a copy of the white paper in its entirety.

Source
APhA Foundation