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Ashkan Isakharian
CVS Pharmacy #9582
3741 Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, Calif., 90016
CVS.com
LOS ANGELES — Pharmacy manager and CVS Health 2024 National Paragon Award winner Ashkan Isakharian’s interest in pharmacy started at an early age when his father had a very bad reaction to the medication he was taking. “Back in Iran, where I was born and raised, my father got a prescription from a doctor and he dropped it off at a pharmacy. When he started taking the medication, he developed various symptoms. He later ended up hospitalized. Doctors at the hospital informed us that my dad had developed a dangerous reaction to the medication. This came as a shock to me and my family since we did not expect such a dangerous reaction from a medication. Thankfully, my father recovered, but he still has scars on his body from the reaction. I wish my father had been informed about the potential side effects before starting the medication. That way, he might have had the opportunity to make an informed decision,” he recalls. “Ever since that experience, I have promised myself that I would do my best so that this situation would not happen to anyone else. I decided to become a pharmacist. I decided to be the person who educates patients and ensures their safety.”
In addition to the journey to become a pharmacist, Isakharian had to face challenges pertaining to immigration. When he moved to the United States, he had to start from zero. In this new country, the culture, language, educational system and many other concepts were new to him. Isakharian started attending a community college while working full time. He later transferred to the University of California Los Angeles and, after graduating with honors, he attended pharmacy school.
He then started his internship at CVS Pharmacy and was impressed with the patient care, the business model and the availability of stores. “When I graduated from pharmacy school during the COVID-19 pandemic, I applied to CVS Pharmacy and started work doing back-to-business COVID testing for a large client. After eight months, I got transferred to a CVS Pharmacy in Target location and was eventually promoted to district support pharmacist and then pharmacy manager.”
He says the pandemic changed many things in the pharmacy’s operations. There was an increase in the need for health care services. “We started offering new services like COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, which we did not provide before the pandemic. It was a stressful time because the demand was so high, and many people were anxious about the virus.”
He continues, “The staff, including myself, had to adapt quickly to the new services and make sure we were always following safety guidelines. Despite the challenges, the team worked together to support each other and serve our patients.”
Isakharian notes that CVS Pharmacy has implemented many technological enhancements in recent years to help make pharmacists’ jobs easier. “CVS Pharmacy recently introduced a new system in which the patient can call the pharmacy to leave a message and we can process their request and call them back at the earliest time. Another new tool we have is SmartDUR, which streamlines the drug utilization review (DUR) process. It uses clinical data, smart rules and algorithms to help identify potential clinical issues, such as possible drug interactions, and recommends next best options or identifies potential therapeutic alternatives for prescribers to consider. It’s a game changer that helps drive improved patient outcomes. CVS Pharmacy is a pioneer in using new technology to increase safety, decrease mundane tasks and increase direct patient care time,” he explains.
He says that at CVS Pharmacy providing the best services and care to the patients is the top priority. “The way we manage medications to ensure the safety of the patients and provide patient education is one of the most rewarding aspects of pharmacy for me. Additionally, by providing care for patients with chronic conditions over extended periods, I see them regularly and, over time, I develop a strong bond with them. It’s rewarding to help them manage their health and build meaningful relationships along the way.”
He adds, “It’s fulfilling for me to offer personalized education and closely monitor patients’ medication adherence. By guiding them through their treatment plans and helping them understand the importance of staying on track, I can contribute to improving their overall quality of life. Knowing that my efforts can lead to better health outcomes and a more positive experience for the patient brings me a sense of satisfaction and purpose in my role as a pharmacist.”
He adds that patient education is one of the most important aspects of the job, as pharmacists ensure that the patient receives the maximum benefits with minimum side effects from medications. “At CVS Pharmacy, when the patient is picking up a new medication, we provide consultation with the pharmacist by educating the patient about how to take the medication, when to take it, what kind of side effects are possible, potential outcomes of abruptly stopping the medication and when the patient needs to stop the medication in the case of adverse effects that require cessation of medication.”
Isakharian said his favorite part of the job is the opportunity to make a difference in the patients’ lives through personalized care and support. “Whether it’s helping a patient manage a complex medication regimen, providing information about a new prescription, or simply being a trusted resource for their health concerns, the chance to positively impact their health and well-being is incredibly rewarding for me.”
Isakharian said that mentors have been an important part of his career. “During my time with CVS Pharmacy, I have had the pleasure of working with many amazing leaders and mentors, and I am very grateful to them. Every single one of them taught me something different, and I am where I am because of them.”
