Making your pharmacist a part of your SMA care team
Last updated Oct. 8, 2025, by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Because spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects multiple parts of the body, managing it usually requires a multidisciplinary approach. While most people think of doctors and specialists when they picture their SMA care team, an often-overlooked but equally important member is the pharmacist.
Pharmacists play an important role in rare disease care and work alongside doctors and other specialists to support your treatment journey through medication and side effect management, and more.
Why your pharmacist matters in SMA care
SMA medication management has evolved significantly in recent years, and pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support your care. As a medication expert, your pharmacist understands how your SMA therapies work and can instruct you on how to:
- take them properly
- integrate them into your daily life
- manage expected outcomes and safety considerations.
Your pharmacist can also identify side effects, watch for drug interactions, and ensure that dosages and administration are correct. This is especially important given that many SMA treatments are specialty medications, which require special handling or administration and are only dispensed through specific pharmacies.
Finally, pharmacists can support the logistical side of your treatment, from cost-saving strategies to navigating insurance approvals.
Help with side effects and symptoms
As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists may be among the first to recognize side effects of your medications or symptoms of your condition. They can suggest strategies for managing mild side effects at home or identify situations that warrant a referral back to your doctor.
Working with your pharmacist ensures that any concerns about side effects or symptoms are addressed promptly, supporting safe and effective SMA prescription management.
Navigating insurance and prior authorizations
Many SMA medications are expensive and often require prior authorizations or other steps before insurance coverage is approved. Pharmacists are well-versed in navigating these processes and can help explain your benefits, suggest cost-saving strategies, and coordinate with your doctors to streamline approval requests.
They can also act as a liaison between you, your healthcare team, and your insurance company to troubleshoot coverage issues and help ensure you receive your treatments without unnecessary delays.
Building a strong relationship with your pharmacist
Certain SMA treatments are meant to be taken long term. This means you’ll likely have routine interactions with your SMA care team, including your pharmacist. Establishing a strong relationship with your pharmacist allows you access to a healthcare professional who can help with any medication-related needs.
Pharmacists also tend to be more accessible than doctors or nurses for questions or concerns about your condition. Keeping your pharmacist informed helps them stay up to date on your regimen so they can provide the best possible support.
When to reach out to your pharmacist first
While a pharmacist may be an extension of your SMA treatment care team, it’s important to know when to reach out to a pharmacist rather than your doctor.
Pharmacists are trained specialists who can:
- Troubleshoot medication-related issues: If you’re having concerns about refills, dosages, or new side effects, reach out to your pharmacist.
- Help with mild side effects: If your side effects are mild, they can provide recommendations on how to treat them at home. For severe or persistent side effects, they may refer you back to your doctor.
For non-medication-related questions, such as questions about your condition, test results, or other therapies, reach out to your doctor or specialist instead. And if you think you’re having a severe, life-threatening side effect, you should call 911 or your local emergency number to get medical help right away.
Final thoughts
Living with SMA requires complex, multidisciplinary treatment. While you may have multiple doctors and specialists overseeing your care, a pharmacist’s support in SMA treatment should not be overlooked.
Including your pharmacist as an active member of your care team can strengthen overall SMA care coordination and make a meaningful difference in managing your condition.
SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
