The USC School of Pharmacy plans to double the number of pharmacists at safety-net clinics throughout Southern California, officials announced Wednesday [October 19, 2011].

In addition to dispensing medication, the pharmacists will have an expanded role in educating patients and monitoring those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

“When you plug pharmacists in, outcomes are better,” said Steven Chen, associate professor of clinical pharmacy at USC.

There are currently pharmacists in 12 clinics and by 2013, that number will increase to 24.