The AMA vs. Pharmacists: Who’s Right?

The AMA says pharmacists expanding into clinical roles is “scope creep”, but what if it’s exactly what patients need? Dr. Tamar Lawful breaks down the truth behind the turf war and how pharmacists are saving lives beyond the counter.

What do you think when you hear “scope creep”?

If you’re a pharmacist, it might sting especially when the American Medical Association says you're stepping out of line for doing what you're trained to do. 

But is it really about patient safety… or professional turf protection?

In this solo episode, Dr. Tamar Lawful peels back the layers on the AMA’s position, shares personal stories from the front lines of pharmacy, and explains why now is the time for pharmacists to stop waiting for permission and start owning their expertise.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why pharmacists are fully equipped to offer personalized, clinical care
• The real reason behind the AMA’s pushback on pharmacist-led services
• How pharmacists are already improving patient outcomes—and the data to prove it

You’ll walk away fired up and ready to advocate for yourself, your patients, and your profession.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Raise the Script
• 2:20 Rebranding and Podcast Evolution
• 3:06 AMA's "Scope Creep" Argument
• 4:00 What Pharmacists Actually Do
• 7:26 Pharmacy Success Stories and Data
• 10:28 Call to Action for Patients and Providers

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Medications certainly have their place, but what if there was a way to support your body naturally by working with your genetics? We are a pill for an ill society. We take 18 pills per person, per American, per day. It was so hard to find somebody who took my insurance and for me to get well it took thousands of dollars and and I thought what do regular people do? This is not right. Despite my best efforts, I wasn't actually reversing disease and helping people to heal in the way that I thought I would.

Speaker 1: 0:32

We want to empower yourselves to take care of this root cause. We don't just want to cover it up. If you're ready to break free from outdated, one-size-fits-all health care, you're in the right place. Welcome to Raise the Script with Nutrigenomics brought to you by InHer Glow®, by LYFE Balance. Here's a literature from.

Speaker 1: 0:54

We are all unique, right down to our DNA, so it's no wonder we respond differently to the same medications, foods and environments. How do you discover what your body needs? Which medications, foods, supplements? How do you discover what your body needs, which medications, foods, supplements or exercises are right for you? How can you manage chronic conditions without piling on more prescriptions? That's what we're here to explore. I'm your host, dr Tamar Lawful, doctor of pharmacy, nutrigenomics specialist, and your partner in reimagining how we personalize care for better outcomes. Whether you're a patient or a practitioner, let's raise the script and bring healthcare to higher levels together, because the future of health is personal.

Speaker 1: 1:39

Welcome to the newly rebranded podcast. Raise the Script of Nutrigenomics, formerly known as Pivoting Pharmacy with Nutrigenomics. I'm your host, Dr. Tamar Lawful, doctor of pharmacy and nutritional genomics specialist. You might notice the new name and cover art, and that's intentional, friend. This podcast has grown beyond pharmacy alone. Now it's for anyone, patient or practitioner, who's ready to challenge the traditional healthcare model and explore what's possible when we personalize care using science and genetics. So if you're new here, welcome. If you've been listening for a while, thank you for growing with me.

Speaker 1: 2:18

Today we're talking about why the American Medical Association, the AMA, calls expanded pharmacist roles scope creep. So, yes, we're catering to the pharmacist today, but this is something that is very educational and I want it to be on your radar, because the AMA argues that pharmacists shouldn't diagnose or treat. But is that truly about patient safety or is it about protecting professional turf? Now let's break down what pharmacists are actually trained to do and legally can do, why the AMA is pushing back and how expanded pharmacist practice could truly support safer, more accessible and more personalized care. Okay, so I want you to picture this You're picking up a new blood pressure medication.

Speaker 1: 3:10

The pharmacist, by law, asks if you have any questions or would like counseling. They have to do that, but sometimes you might say no or you might feel rushed or just want to go home right. Then later you wonder should I take this with food? What about my supplements? Should I monitor my blood pressure at home? That moment of uncertainty happens for so many people, friend, and because of it they think the pharmacist's only role is to slap a label on a bottle. And honestly, the AMA, if you look at their statements, seems to think the same that pharmacists don't provide care, that we're product dispensers. But that is far from the truth. So let's talk about what pharmacists actually do.

Speaker 1: 4:00

We earn a doctoral degree. Doctor of pharmacy programs became the entry-level standard back in 2000. We studied pharmacotherapy, disease prevention and patient assessment for years, typically spending six to eight years in college and advanced training to earn our Doctor of Pharmacy degree. That includes roughly 2,000 to 2,500 hours of didactic classroom instruction, which is more dedicated to pharmacology and therapeutics training than most physicians, nurse practitioners or physician's assistants receive. Many of us go through postgraduate residencies or board certification and we know medications better than anyone. Okay, that includes how they work, how they fail, how they interact and how they can be personalized, whether through lifestyle supplements or even pharmacogenomics.

Speaker 1: 4:55

You know, there was a moment that really changed my perspective. One night I was driving to work at the hospital. I worked at a level one trauma center, the only one within a four hour radius here in California. I was on the phone with a woman I volunteered with for a nonprofit. The call was running close to my shift start so I had to end it abruptly. She laughed and said OK, don't let me stop you from counting pills. Okay, don't let me stop you from counting pills. That stung, friend, because my job at a hospital was so much more than counting pills. I was preparing chemotherapy, tpns, attending codes, running with physicians teaching pharmacy and medical students working side by side with nurses, respiratory therapists. I mean, we were a critical part of the healthcare team and we often go unacknowledged, but that's a whole, nother thing. We were taking care of the sickest patients, but she didn't know that. And if she didn't know, how many other people didn't know either. That's why I started sharing on TikTok to help people see pharmacists are not just pill counters. We don't get paid six figurefigure salaries out of school to count from one to ten. Okay, we are trained clinicians, educators and advocates. Eventually I went on to build a life balance so I could step out of that traditional role and use the skills I worked so hard to learn to help people personalize their health, reduce medication dependence and truly reclaim their well-being.

Speaker 1: 6:21

But here's the tough pill to swallow If no one knows what you do, it's on you to show them. Do you hear that, my fellow pharmacists? It's on you to show them. If you're a pharmacist listening right now, you know this frustration. Maybe you've even thought I regret going to pharmacy school. Know this frustration. Maybe you've even thought I regret going to pharmacy school. Pharmacy is doomed. We'll never get provider status, so why bother? But here's the truth. You have skills and clinical knowledge that matter right now. You don't have to wait for permission to advocate for yourself or for your profession. Change starts with us sharing our stories, demonstrating our value and refusing to let someone else define what we are capable of. Look, no one is coming to rescue pharmacy. If we stay silent, nothing changes.

Speaker 1: 7:11

The AMA's argument is that pharmacist-led diagnosis or treatment is scope creep and might put patients at risk because pharmacists aren't as extensively trained as physicians. And sure, patient safety should always be top of mind, but there's a turf battle here too. When pharmacists step into expanded roles, it redistributes power and influence right. That makes certain organizations uncomfortable. Meanwhile, patients are waiting weeks or months for a doctor's appointment, while 60% of American adults have at least one chronic disease. That's millions of people who could benefit from a pharmacist's expertise safely, quickly and more affordably.

Speaker 1: 7:53

I'll never forget what a pharmacist friend of mine shared with me. A woman came into the pharmacy with a prescription for Bactrim after a quick visit to urgent care. But when my friend reviewed her profile he noticed she was taking Warfarin, a blood thinner. Bactrim is well known to dramatically increase Warfarin's effects, raising the risk of serious bleeding. So he paused, talked with the patient, explained the interaction and called the prescriber to recommend a safer alternative. The doctor agreed, switched the antibiotic and the patient came back later grateful that someone had caught the problem before it became a crisis. That wasn't scope creep, that was care.

Speaker 1: 8:30

Let's really look at the data. Pharmacy-led hypertension clinics have improved patients' blood pressures by an average of seven millimeters of mercury compared to usual care. That might sound small, but even a five-point drop in systolic blood pressure can reduce the risk of stroke by 14% and coronary heart disease by 9%. Imagine what 7 millimeters of mercury drop means on a population scale. Then there's medication therapy management, where pharmacists systemically review, monitor and optimize medications. Medication therapy management, also known as MTM, has significantly reduced hospital readmissions. Think about that Fewer patients going back to the hospital, fewer medication errors and fewer unnecessary costs weighing on the entire system. Then, if we look at comprehensive diabetes programs led by pharmacists, they've improved A1C control and cut down on emergency room visits. That means better blood sugar control, fewer complications, fewer amputations and a better quality of life for people living with diabetes. Fewer amputations and a better quality of life for people living with diabetes that is what patient-centered innovation looks like, because when pharmacists use their full skill set, not just counting pills, we prevent problems before they start and help patients stay healthier, safer and more empowered in their care.

Speaker 1: 9:55

Look, if no one knows what pharmacists can do, it's probably because we haven't told them loudly enough. I know how easy it is to feel discouraged. Maybe you're working 12-hour shifts, feeling burned out, stressed, wondering if anyone even notices the knowledge you bring to the table. Maybe you feel like you can't change anything because the system is too big, too broken, too corporate. But here's a truth, friend we can't stay divided and silent. We can't keep our heads down and hope people will just figure out our value on their own. We cannot expect respect, recognition or new opportunities if we don't show up and ask for them.

Speaker 1: 10:41

I believe with my whole heart that pharmacists have one of the most unique skill sets in healthcare we can translate complex science, navigate medication challenges, personalize therapies and connect with patients in a way that no other profession does. But if we don't advocate for ourselves, if we don't get loud, if we don't unify our voice, we'll stay stuck. And that's why I'm here, that's why I'm doing this podcast, that's why I share these stories, because I refuse to let people believe pharmacists are just pill counters and I want you yes, you to refuse it too the patient. When pharmacists are empowered to manage chronic conditions, to adjust therapy safely under collaborative agreements, to educate patients about supplements, nutrition and lifestyle, and even to help interpret genetic testing results, to personalize care, everyone wins Patients get faster access, fewer medication errors, better outcomes, more confidence in their care.

Speaker 1: 11:53

This is not about stepping on anyone's toes. It's about stepping into the gaps of a healthcare system that is overwhelmed, fragmented and leaving far too many people behind. Pharmacists can and should be part of the solution. All right, let's bring this home. Pharmacists, I want you to own your skillset. Remember that you trained for years. You mastered clinical concepts. You built the tools to help people live healthier lives. Don't hide that behind a counter or a corporate policy. Speak up for your patients. Advocate for your profession. Tell your story over and over, because someone out there needs to hear it.

Speaker 1: 12:35

Patients, please don't see your pharmacist as just the person who hands you a bag of pills. They are one of the most accessible health care professionals you'll ever meet. They have the knowledge to help you avoid medication errors, understand side effects and even personalize your treatment. So ask questions, lean on their expertise, because you deserve that. Providers, you don't have to do it alone. Collaborate with pharmacists. They are uniquely positioned to improve medication outcomes, reduce readmissions and strengthen your practice.

Speaker 1: 13:10

Team-based care is the future, and pharmacists belong on that team. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing Better care, safer patients, healthier communities and we only get there together. Okay, friend, that's all I have for you today. If you found value in this conversation, go ahead and hit follow or subscribe right now, so you never miss a moment of these important discussions, and share this episode of Raising the Script with Neutrogenomics with a friend, a colleague or even a pharmacy student who needs to hear it. Because if we want to raise the script on health, if we truly want to transform how patients experience care, it starts with us. We have to show up, we have to speak up and we have to keep moving forward together. Talk to you next Friday. Until then, always remember to raise the script on health, because together we can bring healthcare to higher levels.