Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Photo: Soren White working at the Harry Race Pharmacy in Sitka, Alaska on July 10, 2026. (Katherine Rose / KCAW)

Historically, pharmacists in Alaska have been limited in what they can do.

Over the last decade they have advocated for and been granted expanded authority. Now, a new law goes further.

Alaska Public Media health reporter Rachel Cassandra delved into the law, which will increase access to care by changing how pharmacists can work in the state.

Soren White grew up in a pharmacy.

“Both my parents are pharmacists here in Sitka.”

As a young adult, he worked as a pharmacy tech, then went to school in Oregon to become a pharmacist.

That included a four-year graduate program with clinical training, but when he returned to Sitka, Alaska for a job at his parents’ pharmacies, his daily work was much more limited.

“Typically we’ve been really stuck behind the counter, counting pills.”

A new state law expands what White and other pharmacists can do as part of their practice.

Starting in next January, they will be able to test and treat certain ailments, like strep throat, urinary tract infections, or the flu.

State Rep. Justin Ruffridge (R-AK) is a pharmacist who supported the bill. He says pharmacists in rural areas play a vital role.

“We are the most highly accessible healthcare professional.”

Data shows people see pharmacists up to twice as often as primary care providers. The law builds on other legislation that has helped increase pharmacists’ authority in recent years.

The bill passed by wide margins in both the Alaska House and Senate.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) vetoed it, saying it would expand the scope of practice too much and too fast, but lawmakers had enough support to override his veto.

Brandy Seignemartin is executive director for the Alaska Pharmacy Association. She helped write the legislation and says it will change healthcare in the state.

“Patients are gonna be able to walk into community pharmacies and have access to care for minor ailments, test and treat.”

She says that is really important in a rural state like Alaska and it will be easier for pharmacists to set up collaborative agreements where they work with a provider. With more training, that could include specialists.

For example, she says initially a psychiatrist could diagnose the patient, but then work with a pharmacist to optimize their medication, so the patient does not need to see the psychiatrist every single visit.

She says the new law also opens the door to pharmacists covering other healthcare gaps, especially for Alaska’s vulnerable populations, including HIV prevention medication like PrEP and PEP and medications for opioid use disorder.

It also would create a pathway for pharmacists to be able to get a DEA license so they can prescribe those medications.

She thinks that will be a major game changer for the ongoing opioid crisis in Alaska.

Molly from Denali at a Heard Museum meet-and-greet on July 11, 2026. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio)

Molly of Denali made her groundbreaking debut on PBS Kids back in 2019.

The animated Alaska Native girl is the first Indigenous lead of a nationally distributed children’s series. And as KJZZ’s Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, she made a stop in Phoenix, Ariz.

If you visit the Heard Museum between now through August, you will come across an Alaskan village where you can tag along with Molly on all of her wild adventures – from flying a bush plane to riding a snowmobile, wearing snowshoes or smoking salmon.

“We brought Alaska to Arizona”

Patty Talahongva (Hopi) is the museum’s chief programming and engagement officer.

“…and therefore the Heard Museum is the coolest place in town.”

Alison Nicolosi is director of the nonprofit AZ Husky Rescue.

“You never know when you’re going to find your best friend, and sometimes it might be at the museum.”

AZ Husky Rescue co-founders Alison Nicolosi, left, and Veronica Reece with Marley, an adoptable dog, at the Heard Museum on July 12, 2026. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio)

Sadly for Heard employee Susan Taylor, Max the husky has already found a new home.

“Oh my gosh, there’s one that I’m trying to adopt. He claimed me like no other.”

But there are still plenty more pups – maybe enough for a pack to pull a dog sled.

Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today.

Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts.

Check out today’s Native America Calling episode