Need for More HIV-Trained Pharmacists due to Unmet Needs and Expanding Opportunities: An Opinion of the HIV Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.2 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, and an estimated 32 000 new HIV infections are reported each year. While pharmacists and pharmacies play major roles in ending the HIV epidemic, harnessing their full potential will require substantial investment in training qualified pharmacy personnel who can provide HIV prevention and treatment services encompassing comprehensive, culturally sensitive care. The purpose of this white paper is to review critical challenges facing the profession of pharmacy that hinder comprehensive HIV care, including the paucity of residency-trained HIV pharmacists due to a lack of HIV-focused post-graduate training programs, inconsistencies in pharmacy curricula, and insufficient or variable reimbursement for pharmacist services. By proposing targeted solutions across pharmacy education, training, research, and reimbursement, we seek to cultivate a robust, well-trained pharmacy workforce who can effectively provide HIV prevention and treatment services.