Evolution of the Role of the Transplant Pharmacist on the Multidisciplinary Transplant Team

A National Survey Assessing the Current Workforce of Transplant Pharmacists Across Accredited U.S. Solid Organ Transplant Programs

“…These included having a transplant pharmacist evaluate all potential transplant candidates during the selection process and consistent and comprehensive participation in the multidisciplinary care during the transplant event (2). This is further exemplified by the fact that 33 (12%) transplant centers, upon direct solicitation, noted that they do not have a dedicated transplant pharmacist to complete the survey.…”

“…It is clear that as the number of transplant programs has expanded dramatically across the U.S., so has the number of transplant pharmacists (10,11). The role and scope of practice for the transplant pharmacists within direct patient care has also expanded, likely a reflection of the known benefits pharmacists provide as a crucial member of the multidisciplinary team (4,5,7,14), coupled with the fact that governing bodies (UNOS and CMS) now recognize the transplant pharmacists as a core member of this team (2). Yet, it is also clear that there are a number of key areas to focus future role expansions within the transplant pharmacy profession.…”

“…This is particularly the case since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began certifying transplant centers (2). Despite this dramatic growth, little has been published detailing the role and responsibilities of the transplant pharmacist across the continuum of care (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

A Solid Organ Transplant Elective Course for Pharmacy Students

“…The clinical transplant pharmacist should be a designated member of the transplant team and will be assigned primary responsibility for providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care to transplant recipients in a culturally competent manner." 6,7 Responsibilities of transplant pharmacists include, but are not limited to, medication therapy management, medication reconciliation, discharge counseling, protocol development and adherence, daily rounds with prospective evaluation of individual pharmacotherapy, transplant team education, cost containment, and pretransplant and posttransplant medication education. 6 Pharmacists play an enormous role in the management of solid organ transplant patients, and because of the UNOS requirements, there has been a drastic increase in the demand for transplant pharmacists.…”

“…6,7 Responsibilities of transplant pharmacists include, but are not limited to, medication therapy management, medication reconciliation, discharge counseling, protocol development and adherence, daily rounds with prospective evaluation of individual pharmacotherapy, transplant team education, cost containment, and pretransplant and posttransplant medication education. 6 Pharmacists play an enormous role in the management of solid organ transplant patients, and because of the UNOS requirements, there has been a drastic increase in the demand for transplant pharmacists. 6 This increase in demand has led to a shortage of trained transplant pharmacists, causing many facilities to hire less-qualified individuals.…”