Inspired by a family member’s battle with cancer, Brittany Pfoutz pursued a career in specialty pharmacy. Learn how she helps Walgreens patients through innovation and dedicated care.

---

My name is Brittany Pfoutz, and I am a pharmacist in charge at our central specialty pharmacy in Pittsburgh. My journey with Walgreens began with an internship in 2016, and I have grown with the company ever since. I often say my career was born and raised in this building in Pittsburgh. I absolutely love my job.

What is a specialty pharmacy central?

A specialty pharmacy focuses on dispensing and managing medications for complex, chronic or rare conditions. These medications often require specialized handling and storage. Many of them also necessitate specialized administration, and in some cases, patients need to be trained on how to use the specialty medicines.

The central facility I work in is one of four specialty pharmacy centers in Walgreens. These fulfillment centers have a large real estate footprint and allow us to fill and ship large volumes of medication on a daily basis.

At these facilities, we also offer comprehensive patient support, including clinical management, education and financial assistance.  

Our facility is licensed in all 50 states, which allows us to support more patients outside of those in our local community. I personally have 25 state pharmacist licenses, which is unique to my role and necessary to support state specific pharmacy regulations. However, this can also be challenging. We must comply with pharmacy laws that are not only in the state the facility is in, but also those of the state we are shipping to. We also have unique concerns regarding weather, because even if the weather is beautiful in Pittsburgh, there could be severe weather in other parts of the country that can limit our ability to deliver medication. Fortunately, we have wonderful teams that help us navigate those challenges. 

What is a pharmacist in charge?

As pharmacist in charge, I wear multiple hats. I’m responsible for the overall success of our central facility. We are different from retail pharmacies because we do not see our patients face to face; all communications are done remotely.

I help ensure we are managing all regulatory compliance for our licenses in all 50 states. This also ensures that we maintain our formal accreditation standards, as we hold many from various organizations showing our devotion to patient care. I also collaborate with various teams to keep compliant with these rigorous standards and provide the best care for all of our patients. 

How I got here 

At 17, while contemplating my future, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 48 years old. It was a challenging time for our family, especially since my paternal grandmother died from the same cancer a decade earlier. This life-altering event solidified my decision to pursue a career in healthcare.  

Fortunately, my father’s disease was detected early, but I saw the story play out so differently for my grandmother. She was diagnosed very late, and the cancer spread extensively.  She passed away just months after her diagnosis at 58.

I pursued my bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh, and that’s also where my dad’s oncologist and surgical team were based. During college, I sat in on his treatment plan discussions, gaining insight into clinical thought processes. It was a unique experience, being both a student and a family member of someone battling a chronic illness.

My father is now 16 years cancer-free, a miraculous outcome given the mortality rate within the first five years. He still manages many long-term complications and relies on medications as part of his treatment.

It’s remarkable that I now work with similar patients and families. My role is very fulfilling because I understand what they’re going through, and I strive to help them to the best of my abilities.

Whenever I’m in touch with my patients, I often think of my grandmother. She was an avid watercolor painter. Since she’s no longer with us, our family cherishes her paintings. I keep one of her pieces in my office, above my desk. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of the future and the hope I have for other cancer patients, that I can spare other families from similar pain. 

Why I love being a pharmacist at Walgreens 

At Walgreens, we focus on what matters most: our patients.  

I have always felt nurtured and supported at Walgreens, contributing to my tenure with the company.

I vividly recall expressing my desire to work with local pharmacy schools and mentor students on rotation as a new staff pharmacist. My leadership supported this vision without hesitation. I began taking on rotation students from pharmacy schools. This led to me being a guest lecturer at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where I obtained my Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

I also love working at Walgreens because of the strong relationship I have with my co-workers. We have a very close-knit group at the Pittsburgh facility. We work well together, know each other’s families, and share a good sense of humor. Our team is wonderful, bringing a solid teamwork attitude and incredible talents to the table.

Advice for future pharmacists

Be curious. When I started my career, I thought I’d be doing telephone-based medication therapy management, discussing daily medications with patients. Although I was excited about that, life led me in a different direction and I found a place I absolutely love. It’s crucial to remain curious, continually seek growth and embrace opportunities that may not have been an original part of your plan.