Dispensing More Than Medication: How Clinical Pharmacists Improve Patient Care

Dispensing More Than Medication: Caring Beyond the Counter

Starting a new medication can feel overwhelming.

You may leave your appointment with questions like:

• Will this medication work?
• What side effects should I expect?
• How long will I need to take it?
• Can I afford it?
• What happens if I miss a dose?

At Gloria Gates CARE, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Our in-house clinical pharmacist provides more than medication guidance. She offers education, reassurance, and ongoing support to help members feel confident about their treatment every step of the way.

A Pharmacist Who is Part of Your CARE Team

Unlike many healthcare settings, our pharmacist is part of the primary care team.

Gloria Gates CARE Pharmacist Jill Watters, RPh, works directly with patients before, during, and after provider appointments. Whether meeting with members in person or speaking with them by phone, she helps answer questions, explain medications, and address concerns as they come up.

That means patients receive support when they need it—not days or weeks later.

Jill explains why this approach matters:

“Taking medications can be overwhelming because patients are often trying to process a lot of information about their health after an appointment. Being available to answer questions and provide one-on-one support helps patients feel more confident in their care. Building those relationships allows me to follow up, address concerns as they arise, and support patients throughout their health journey.”

Why Medication Support Matters

Managing medications isn’t always simple.

Many people take several prescriptions at the same time or live with more than one chronic health condition. Others are balancing both physical and mental health concerns.

This can make it harder to stay on track with treatment.

For example, people living with depression are about twice as likely to stop taking medications as prescribed compared to those without depression. This isn’t because they don’t want to get better. Depression can affect memory, motivation, concentration, and daily routines, making medication management much more difficult.

Having a clinical pharmacist available gives patients another trusted resource to help them stay informed, overcome barriers, adn feel supported.

Whole-Person CARE Makes a Difference

Imagine trying to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and chronic pain while also coping with anxiety or depression.

For many people, this is everyday life.

At Gloria Gates CARE, we believe the best healthcare look at the whole person—not just one diagnosis.

That’s why our pharmacists, providers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals work together to coordinate care. This team-based approach helps patients receive consistent guidance while improving communication between providers.

Behavioral Health Therapist Courtney Blair, LCSW, has been the benefits firsthand.

“Having a pharmacist on-site has been incredibly beneficial for both our patients and our staff. Patients often bring medication questions into therapy sessions, whether they’re asking about side effects, dosing, or affordability. Jill is always available to step in and provide education, support, and reassurance exactly when it’s needed.”

Working together allows us to solve problems more quickly while giving patients peace of mind. These moments of collaboration aren’t the exception but are simply how we provide care every day.

A Vision for Safer, Better CARE

When Dr. Zane Gates founded Gloria Gates CARE, he believed patients deserved easier access to medication experts. That vision became a reality in 2017 when Gloria Gates CARE integrated a clinical pharmacist directly into its primary care model.

Dr. Gates explains:

“Since 2017, we have integrated a clinical pharmacist into our primary care model. This approach improves patient safety, reduce healthcare costs, adn enhances the overall quality of care. Pharmacists serve as a critical safeguard against medication errors, expand our clinical capacity through chronic disease management, and help relieve time pressures on physicians.”

Today, that vision continues to improve care for every member we serve. Read about Dr. Gates and Mark Cuban speak about Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

More Than Filling Prescriptions

Our clinical pharmacist plays an important role throughout each patient’s healthcare journey.

Services include:

• Comprehensive medication reviews
• Identifying possible drug interactions
• Reviewing medication dosing
• Teaching patients how to use inhalers and injectable medications
• Helping patients use blood glucose and continuous glucose monitors
• Supporting diabetes, heart disease, COPD, asthma, and other chronic conditions
• Finding lower-cost medication options
• Connecting eligible patients with manufacturer assistance programs
• Helping providers choose safe and effective treatment options

Every recommendation is made with one goal in mind: helping patients stay healthy and confident in their care.

More Than Medication. More Than a Pharmacy.

At Gloria Gates CARE, our pharmacist is more than someone who dispenses medication.

She’s an educator. A trusted resource. A problem solver. And an important part of every patient’s care team.

By bringing pharmacy, primary care, and behavioral health together under one roof, we can answer questions sooner, remove barriers to treatment, and help patients feel supported from their first appointment through every step of their health journey.

Because caring beyond the counter means caring for the whole person.