Yara Albair

Our study explores how patients across Illinois are using pharmacist-provided test-and-treat services for common conditions like strep throat, flu, and COVID-19. By analyzing real-world data from community pharmacies, we hope to better understand who benefits most from these services and how pharmacists can continue expanding access to quick, affordable care. This project highlights the growing role of community pharmacists in delivering front-line healthcare and improving convenience for patients statewide.

I’m most excited about the opportunity to generate real-world data that highlights the impact of community pharmacists in expanding access to care. Receiving an Incentive Grant will help bring national attention to pharmacist-led test-and-treat services and support continued program development across Illinois. It’s rewarding to contribute to research that can directly shape the future of community pharmacy practice.

The motivation for this project came from seeing firsthand how accessible community pharmacists are and how often patients seek quick, convenient care for common illnesses like strep or flu. Despite this, there is limited data showing who actually uses these test-and-treat services in large chain pharmacies. By understanding which populations rely on these programs most, we can better target outreach, improve access, and optimize pharmacist-driven care across Illinois.