By: Amber Bacak, PharmD
Every day I see how low-income patients struggle to access even the most basic medical care. Many of my patients don’t have a regular doctor. Some can’t take time off work for an appointment. Others simply can’t afford to wait weeks for care when they need treatment now. These challenges aren’t just frustrating; they’re dangerous. As a pharmacist, I know that delayed treatment leads to worsening conditions, costly emergency room visits, and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.
That’s why Texas lawmakers must act now to implement Test-and-Treat legislation. By allowing trained pharmacists to diagnose and treat common illnesses—like flu, strep throat, and urinary tract infections—right at the pharmacy counter, we can eliminate unnecessary barriers to care and ensure Texans get the treatment they need when they need it.
Pharmacists like me are already highly trained in medication management, patient counseling, and disease prevention. We are the most accessible healthcare professionals in Texas—there’s a pharmacy within five miles of nearly every Texan, often far more accessible than a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic.
Many patients already come to us first when they feel sick. But under current law, our hands are tied. Even when a patient presents clear symptoms of strep throat or the flu, I have to send them away to find a doctor, delaying care and increasing their risk of spreading illness.
States that have implemented Test-and-Treat policies have seen significant benefits. Research shows that pharmacists adhere to clinical guidelines and provide high-quality, evidence-based care. In fact, studies published by the American Pharmacists Association have found that pharmacy-based treatment for minor illnesses leads to quicker symptom relief and better health outcomes for patients who might otherwise go untreated.
This issue is particularly urgent for low-income, uninsured and rural Texans. Many Texans live in healthcare deserts, where the nearest clinic is miles away, and getting an appointment means missing work and losing pay. Others rely on overcrowded emergency rooms for conditions that could have been easily treated at a pharmacy. By empowering pharmacists to provide direct care for minor ailments, we can ease the strain on our healthcare system and enable doctors to tend to the most pressing healthcare needs while ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their paycheck.
These policies do not extend pharmacists’ roles beyond their training. The reality is that we already play a critical role in patient care, from administering vaccines to managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. We have the education and experience to safely and effectively treat routine conditions, and when cases fall outside our scope, we know when to refer patients to a physician.
Expanding Test-and-Treat allows us to work alongside doctors and other advanced practice clinicians to ensure that every Texan has access to timely, appropriate care. Allowing pharmacists to practice at the top of our training means more efficient use of healthcare resources, shorter wait times for patients, and lower costs for the entire system.
Texas has a chance to follow the lead of other states that have already embraced Test-and-Treat with great success. The time to act is now. Our lawmakers must prioritize patient access and common-sense healthcare solutions by passing legislation that gives pharmacists the ability to provide the care Texans desperately need.
Every day, I see patients who could be treated quickly and affordably at their local pharmacy but instead face unnecessary delays, financial burdens, and worsening health. Expanding Test-and-Treat policies is a simple, effective way to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all.
Texas has the opportunity to help more Texans access the healthcare they need to continue to be productive, contributing members of our communities. Let pharmacists do what we do best—care for our communities.
Amber M. Bacak, PharmD, has been a pharmacist for more than a decade, exclusively serving South Texas.
