Mikael Cooke

I am grateful to receive an APhA Foundation Incentive Grant to explore the implementation plans for influenza test and treat services by community-based pharmacies in North Carolina. The ability for pharmacists to test for and treat influenza is a new expansion to scope of practice for pharmacists in North Carolina effective October 1st, 2025, as part of State Law 2025-37. This grant will allow me to survey pharmacists in charge at North Carolina community pharmacies to gain an understanding of financial models and barriers to implementing this new service.

My motivation for this project comes from a passion to expand pharmacist-provided services and create financial models that are sustainable for pharmacies. Throughout my time in pharmacy school, there have been various expansions to the scope of services that pharmacists in North Carolina can provide. However, financial barriers have proven to be a challenge to many pharmacies providing these new services, which is what has motivated me to understand more about potential financial models and challenges.

What makes me most excited about my project is the potential to publish results that could help community pharmacists develop sustainable financial models for pharmacist-provided services. This would help community pharmacies, while also expanding access to test and treat services for patients across the state.