ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the Health Action Alliance (HAA) have released a new employer playbook to help businesses reduce healthcare costs by expanding employees’ access to pharmacy-based clinical services.
Commissioned by NACDS, the guide Beyond the Script: An Employer’s Guide to Unlocking the Value of Pharmacy-Based Services offers HR and benefits leaders strategies for integrating pharmacy-based care into employer health plans. The resource arrives as employer healthcare costs are projected to rise by about 9% in 2026 and more than 108 million Americans live in areas with inadequate access to primary care.
Access the full playbook here.
The playbook argues that community pharmacies are an underused resource for improving access to care and lowering costs. Beyond dispensing medications and administering vaccines, pharmacies increasingly offer preventive screenings, testing and treatment for common illnesses, medication therapy management, and chronic disease management. According to the report, pharmacist-led healthcare services can generate returns ranging from $1.29 to $18.50 for every $1 invested among non-hospitalized patients, particularly for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
“Employers need to control healthcare spending and close access gaps without passing more costs on to workers,” said Steven C. Anderson, president and CEO of NACDS. “This employer playbook makes clear that pharmacy-based care is a proven, practical answer: accessible and affordable healthcare that keeps employees healthy and on the job.”
Jeffrey Woldt
The guide is primarily geared toward self-funded and level-funded employers and outlines steps for integrating pharmacy-based clinical services into existing medical benefits, educating employees about available services, establishing partnerships with local pharmacies, and measuring outcomes. It also highlights policy changes, such as expanded provider recognition and scope of practice for pharmacists, that could further broaden access to care.
Health Action Alliance Co-Founder and Co-CEO Stephen Massey said that employers that leverage pharmacy-based care stand to benefit from healthier employees, lower healthcare costs, and improved workforce productivity.
Survey data cited in the playbook indicate strong employee support for expanded pharmacy services. Nearly nine in 10 U.S. employees view pharmacy-based healthcare positively, while 71% believe additional pharmacy services would improve their health and 65% say those services would help reduce missed work.
The organizations also reported strong employer interest at a recent virtual briefing held in partnership with the HR Certification Institute. More than 1,000 people attended the session, and post-event surveys found that 87% of participants were likely to consider pharmacy-based services as part of their employee benefits strategy.
The new guide builds on HAA’s 2025 employer research, also commissioned by NACDS, and provides organizations with a practical roadmap for using community pharmacies to improve healthcare access while managing benefit costs.
Access the full playbook here.
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