Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy say most of the elderly Americans in their studies all had multiple medications for chronic diseases and wanted a close relationship with a knowledgeable pharmacist especially to discuss medication options, drug side-effects and cost concerns. However, they say this is seldom achieved.

Lead author Sharon Youmans interviewed only elderly African-Americans regarding their perceptions of their pharmacist, but none of the participants viewed their lack of communication with their pharmacist as an issue of discrimination, reported the study published in the journal Ethnicity and Disease.

Youmans suggests that individual pharmacists as well as the profession as a whole need to make increased efforts to become integral partners of local, state and national initiatives aimed at decreasing health disparities.

"This is an issue of coming out from behind the counter and making a connection with our patients, no matter who they are," Youmans said in a statement.