Typically, pharmacists are dispensers of pharmaceuticals and provide MTM (Medication Therapy Management) services to clients, patents, and customers depending on their practice setting. Functional Medicine (FM) is gaining traction as it focuses on identifying the root causes of health issues rather than just masking symptoms with pharmaceuticals. This approach is becoming more accepted due to rising medication costs, insurance hassles, expensive medical procedures, and the general frustration of not feeling well. Recently, pharmacists have begun to play a crucial role in FM. Traditionally, they dispensed medications, but now they’re dispensing knowledge through Pharmvine and the Pharmacists’ Network Exchange (PNE), guiding clients who desire to consider medications as a last resort.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is a standard practice for pharmacists, involving advising clients on proper medication use. However, it often lacks transparency about potential negative effects since dispensary pharmacists are primarily focused on selling medications. The missing “transparency” constitutes the adverse effects that most pharmaceuticals have on one’s microbiomes, the largest organ in the body where all disease manifest. If this information was conveyed to a patient at the dispensary, many if not all patients would be reluctant to accept the medication which is defeating the purpose of a for profit retail dispensary where most pharmacists work.
PNE pharmacists offer a fresh perspective on MTM with an FM mindset. They understand that diet and lifestyle are key factors in disease development. Through coaching and guidance, they help clients prioritize these factors, reserving medications as a last resort. It actually requires as much, if not more, knowledge, expertise and experience to safely guide someone OFF medications. PNE pharmacists maintain full transparency and work with prescribing physicians to ensure clients make informed health decisions.