In 2020, where healthcare is one of the chief concerns of nearly every U.S. citizen, independent pharmacies play a unique and important role in many communities that desperately need trained health professionals.
Independent pharmacies continue to lead the way in innovations that define the future of pharmacy practice. How independent pharmacies are making headway continues to change as does technology and the healthcare industry. As Medicare Part D and other payers focus on quality of medication use, independent pharmacists are providing the patient care services to ensure optimal medication therapy, are accessible and have the expertise to manage drug therapies. Pharmacists are also finding ways to be part of health care teams managing chronic patient care.
To remain competitive in today’s marketplace, the use of technology in independent community pharmacy practice continues to increase. More and more, independents are taking advantage of emerging technologies to enhance pharmacy efficiency, reduce costs, improve patient care and facilitate communications with other health care providers and patients.
Independent pharmacies embraced the digital age years ago, having used computerized records and real-time claims billing for decades. Now in the era of near ubiquitous mobile devices, 90 percent of independent pharmacies utilize Facebook, 18 percent have a Twitter account, and 75 percent use a mobile app.
Independent community pharmacists are an easily accessible health care provider specializing in high-quality patient-centered care. One of the hallmarks of independent pharmacy has long been the services patients can access and receive in the pharmacy. Clinically integrated networks of community-based pharmacies are responding to the demand for demonstrable value.
The services include:
VACCINES – Offering immunizations provides opportunity for pharmacies far beyond the revenue that is generated from this service. Pharmacy-based immunization services help build a relationship based on trust between the patient and the pharmacist, leading the patient to rely more and more on the pharmacist for a wide array of other services such as medication therapy management, point-of-care testing, and health screenings.
POINT-OF-CARE TESTING – As the emphasis on preventative care continues to grow, many states are expanding the role of pharmacists in providing point-of-care-testing. The top four point-of care services provided are influenza, rapid strep, cholesterol screening, and hemoglobin A1c.
ADHERENCE SERVICES – For most chronic illnesses, medications are the most cost-effective course of treatment, yet many patients don’t take their medication as prescribed. To help combat the economic cost of the non-adherence problem in the U.S. and improve patient health, 91 percent of independent community pharmacies have deployed comprehensive adherence programs, with nearly 79 percent offering medication synchronization (med sync) services to their patients.
These services are vital to pharmacy during and after COVID-19. Pharmacists are and will continue to be a benefit of public health in the areas of COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccine deployment. As the retail pharmacy landscape changes and adapts to challenges with DIR fees, drug pricing, and reduced reimbursements, the VMC pharmacy team continues to work on finding and partnering with additional revenue stream options such as point of care, telepharmacy, telemedicine, immunizations and specialty pharmacy.
The VMC pharmacy team is available to support members and at your disposal. Please reach out for more on any of these services at vmc_pharmacy@awginc.com.
