June 3, 2021

How inclusive is your pharmacy? The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) have released a guide to help pharmacists and technicians provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for their non-binary, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients. 

The new guide, titled ‘Providing Inclusive Care and Services for the Transgender and Gender Diverse Community: A Pharmacy Resource Guide,’ provides pharmacy teams with methods for supporting inclusivity for LGBTQ patients.

Studies show that many LGBTQ patients experience bias in the healthcare system, which leads to care disparities and barriers to care. Pharmacy technicians play an important role in healthcare and can act to promote the health of their LGBTQ patients by revising patient interactions, pharmacy environments, policies, and training to improve access to quality, inclusive healthcare. When LGBTQ patients do not feel welcomed and included, or when they experience a negative encounter at a pharmacy, they are less likely to return for care. 

Read and download the guide.