IBD pharmacists are an essential part of the care team, helping patients stay informed, supported, and on track with their treatment plans. Whether in a clinic or pharmacy setting, they ensure patients receive the best possible care for managing IBD.

The 2026 IBD Pharmacist Virtual Symposium is set to take place on Saturday, May 30. Register here! 

Catch up on the 2025 IBD Pharmacist Virtual Symposium! Enduring credit is available through July 2026.

Special thanks to Celltrion USA for their generous support

More about IBD Pharmacists...

Why is medication adherence important in IBD?

Medication non-adherence is all too common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leading to increased flares, hospitalizations, and complications. IBD pharmacists play a critical role in improving medication access, providing education, and ensuring patients stay on track with their treatment plans. They are a secret weapon for preventing interruptions to medical therapy and optimizing patient outcomes.

What is the role of a pharmacist in IBD?

IBD pharmacists specialize in helping patients manage their medications effectively. They provide critical support in ensuring adherence, monitoring for safety, and educating patients about their treatment plans.

Clinical IBD pharmacists work directly with gastroenterologists in multidisciplinary clinics to provide:

• Comprehensive patient education on IBD medications, including how they work, potential side effects, and why adherence is crucial.
• Monitoring for medication efficacy and safety, making recommendations to gastroenterologists for adjustments when needed.
• Medication reconciliation, ensuring there are no harmful interactions with other drugs a patient may be taking.
• Vaccination guidance, helping patients stay up-to-date on immunizations, especially for those on immunosuppressive therapy.

Specialty pharmacists also play a key role in medication management, but they operate within a specialty pharmacy instead of working directly in clinical settings. 

 

How can an IBD pharmacist help with side effects?

IBD pharmacists closely monitor for medication side effects and work with healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans, recommend supportive therapies, or suggest alternative medications when necessary.

What’s the difference between a clinical IBD pharmacist and a specialty pharmacist?

• Clinical IBD pharmacists work alongside gastroenterologists in healthcare settings to provide direct patient support.
• Specialty pharmacists work within pharmacies, assisting with medication dispensing, patient education, insurance navigation, and adherence strategies.

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Resources

For Patients

IBD pharmacists can use many of the Foundation's patient resources in IBD patient education, including the IBD Medication Guide.

Articles

• Role and Impact of a Clinical Pharmacy Team at an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
• Defining the Roles of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Pharmacists in the United States
• Optimizing Medication Access and Use in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Roles and Impact of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
• The Role of a Pharmacist in Improving Vaccination Discussions and Completion in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Continued Pharmacy Education

• Mitigating Risk in New IBD Treatments 
• Fertility and Safety of IBD Medications During Pregnancy
• New Treatments in IBD

Each webinar is designated by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine for 1.0 contact hour(s) (0.1 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.