While pharmacies are well positioned to address health-related social needs, sustainability and workload remain major challenges. Integrating community health worker roles requires leadership, reimbursement, and ongoing training. Time constraints, competing priorities, and multiple patient touchpoints make adoption difficult, but structured support can help pharmacies overcome these barriers. University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences experts share insights.

Reversing Pharmacy Deserts    
Reversing the growth of pharmacy deserts starts with fair and equitable reimbursement models that make it sustainable for pharmacies to be able to operate and continue to serve those underserved areas, according to Crystal Lennartz of Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas at McKesson. She notes the importance of investments in operational or technology support so that pharmacies have the ability to expand their services and reach patients more efficiently.

Rethinking the Adherence Journey  
Medication adherence is not a box to be checked, according to AdhereHealth's Chandra Osborn. It’s an ongoing journey that directly shapes member health, Star Ratings performance, and the financial strength of Medicare Advantage plans. When plans embed adherence into daily operations, they are better positioned to reduce avoidable utilization, capture quality bonus payments, and strengthen member loyalty.

Each PQA Member Organization Can Vote on Measures Up for Endorsement and Retirement  

A PQA member voting period is open now through Friday, October 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET.  There are four measures included in this vote – one for endorsement consideration and three for retirement consideration. The measures include:

One HEALTH PLAN measure for endorsement consideration: 

•  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment Ratio (CTR) 

Review the full measure specifications for CTR. 

Two PQA-endorsed HEALTH PLAN measures for retirement consideration:

• Use of Medications to Prevent Major Cardiovascular Events in Persons with Diabetes (CVDM) 

• Medication Therapy Problem Resolution (MTPR) 

One PQA-endorsed PHARMACY measure for retirement consideration: 

• Primary Medication Nonadherence [Pharmacy] (PMN-PH) 

Review the full measure specifications for CVDM, MTPR, and PMN-PH.

An archived recording of the September 18, 2025, PQA Measure Endorsement and Retirement Meeting about these measures is available in the Member Resources Library. 

Each PQA member organization's Key Contact has received an email with voting instructions. If you have questions about the voting process or the measures being considered for endorsement or retirement, please contact the PQA team at [email protected].

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