The Rise of the Community Pharmacy as a Maternal Health Lifeline
For Sarah, a 24-year-vintage pregnant woman in Mississippi, access to prenatal care seemed impossible. Without insurance, a primary care provider, or even consistent hope, she turned to Love’s Pharmacy, a member of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN). Her story, highlighted in recent reports, exemplifies a growing trend: community pharmacies stepping up to address the maternal health crisis, particularly in underserved areas.
Mississippi’s Maternal Health Emergency
Mississippi faces stark realities when it comes to maternal and infant health. Ranked 50th in the US for infant mortality and 45th for maternal mortality in 2024, the state is grappling with significant health disparities. Over half of its counties (51.2%) are designated as maternity care deserts, contributing to the country’s highest infant mortality rate – 9.7 deaths per 1000 live births. This prompted the Mississippi State Department of Health to declare infant mortality a public health emergency in August 2025.
The MOMS Program: A Fresh Model of Care
Launched by Love’s Pharmacy in partnership with CPESN Mississippi, CPESN Community Health, and the Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF), the Medications Optimizing Maternal Safety (MOMS) program offers a proactive solution. MOMS provides monthly prenatal vitamins and iron, screenings for preeclampsia, depression, and hypertension, and immunization support. Crucially, the program addresses health-related social needs, such as transportation and housing, connecting patients with vital resources.
The program’s success hinges on the accessibility of community pharmacies. Located in maternity care deserts, these pharmacies are equipped with clinical pharmacists and community health workers, offering both care, and coordination. Patients like Silvia, who speaks only Spanish, benefit from coordinated OBGYN visits with translator support. Kristy, at high risk for preeclampsia, received timely aspirin initiation and follow-up care through the program.
Beyond Dispensing: The Expanding Role of Pharmacists
CPESN Mississippi’s evolution reflects a broader shift in the pharmacy landscape. Initially focused on workforce development – training pharmacy technicians as community health workers – the organization recognized the urgent need for maternal health interventions. This led to the development of MOMS, demonstrating the potential of pharmacies to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
The MOMS program isn’t just about medication; it’s about holistic support. Participants receive adherence packaging and home delivery, and monthly check-ins address vaccine gaps, mental health concerns, and blood pressure monitoring. Pharmacists document all encounters using a standardized e-care plan, enabling data analysis and quality improvement.
Early Outcomes and Impact
Launched in August 2025 with three pharmacies on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, MOMS served 43 unique patients by the complete of the year, resulting in over 99 encounters. The majority of encounters (84%) occurred within the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, highlighting the program’s ability to reach patients early in their journey. A significant 65% of patients identified health-related social needs, which the pharmacy team addressed through referrals and coordination with local resources. For Ashley, this meant securing vitamins, housing assistance, a breast pump, car seat, and a pack-and-play – all in a single encounter.
Seventeen percent of patients were started on aspirin, and screenings were conducted for depression (7%) and hypertension (20%).
Future Trends: Scaling and Sustainability
The CPF is now supporting the expansion of MOMS to additional pharmacies across Mississippi. CPESN MS is leveraging the program’s success to build a business case for sustained funding from national payors and state leaders. This model, focused on proactive care coordination and addressing social determinants of health, is poised to turn into increasingly prevalent.
The story of Sarah, and her healthy baby girl Amy, underscores the transformative potential of community pharmacies. As healthcare systems grapple with rising costs and persistent disparities, the role of the pharmacist is evolving from dispenser of medications to essential provider of comprehensive, accessible care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CPESN?
- CPESN (Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network) is a network of pharmacies focused on providing enhanced health services locally.
- What is the MOMS program?
- MOMS (Medications Optimizing Maternal Safety) is a clinical service supporting expecting mothers through community pharmacies.
- Where is this program available?
- Currently, the MOMS program is being implemented in Mississippi, with plans for expansion.
Did you know? Pharmacies are often more accessible than traditional healthcare settings, making them ideal locations for preventative care and chronic disease management.
Pro Tip: If you are pregnant and facing challenges accessing care, explore local community pharmacies and ask about available programs like MOMS.
What are your thoughts on the evolving role of pharmacies in healthcare? Share your comments below!
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