Texas Health: The Expanding Role of Pharmacists

Every day, I witness low-income patients struggle to secure essential medical care. Many lack a regular doctor or can't postpone work for an appointment. As a pharmacist, I recognize that delaying treatment exacerbates health issues and results in costly emergency visits. Texas must implement Test-and-Treat legislation, empowering pharmacists to diagnose and manage common ailments at the pharmacy counter, thereby removing barriers and ensuring timely care. States with similar policies have reported significant improvements in patient outcomes, particularly for underserved populations. Now is the time for Texas lawmakers to act.