For patients located in rural communities, finding a pharmacy can mean driving miles away from home. This is not only inconvenient, but inclement weather and poor health can make the trip nearly impossible for some patients.
That’s where telepharmacy comes in.
Telepharmacy brings quality health care to rural, medically underserved communities nationwide. It enables individuals living in remote areas to obtain their medications, and receive counseling and education from a pharmacist.
In the Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) defines the practice of telepharmacy as “the provision of pharmacist care by registered pharmacies and pharmacists located within U.S. jurisdictions through the use of telecommunications or other technologies to patients or their agents at distances that are located within U.S. jurisdictions.”
Telepharmacy locations are operated by a pharmacy technician and managed remotely by a pharmacist via video conferencing technology. The pharmacist provides care and counseling for patients while maintaining accountability and control over all prescriptions dispensed at the remote pharmacy. Many telepharmacies are full-service pharmacies with complete drug inventories, including over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Telepharmacy is a unique way to expand your pharmacy’s range. If you want to target a new geographic location or reach an area where patients need your services, telepharmacy may be an option for you.
Here are five tips for a successful expansion into telepharmacy.
1. Hire well
Although some state laws don’t require a pharmacy technician to be certified specifically for telepharmacy, it’s a good idea to hire someone highly skilled.
The employee working at your telepharmacy location represents your entire pharmacy. He or she will be required to take on many responsibilities as the sole individual working at that location.
Hire a qualified candidate and then train him, so you can ensure that the employee has a firm grasp on all his responsibilities, and will be able to answer patients’ questions.
2. Update technology
Telepharmacy requires reliable technology. The devices in your telepharmacy must also abide by Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Make sure you use a quality, reputable telepharmacy technology vendor for your pharmacy.
3. Ensure a personal connection
Your independent community pharmacy is known for the individualized care it provides to patients. That shouldn’t change with your telepharmacy.
Ensure that the pharmacist gets to know patients as she would if she was physically present. Don’t let a video monitor hinder personalized care.
Make sure the pharmacist in charge visits the telepharmacy location every once in awhile to check on operations. This also helps patients connect a face to the pharmacist they’ve been interacting with through a computer screen.
4. Choose a smart location
State laws, which vary by state, dictate where telepharmacies can be located. Do your research and be strategic. See what area would make the most sense for a telepharmacy location.
Visit the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to contact your state government concerning the legality of telepharmacy in your state.
5. Continue to innovate
If you go into telepharmacy, you’ll already be at the forefront of innovation. But, don’t stop there.
Continue applying innovations and updated changes to your telepharmacy. Offer patients at-home video consulting services or specialty assistance, such diabetes care.
Adapting new concepts will make your independent community pharmacy known for being cutting edge in advancement.
Follow our innovation series to learn how you can continue to innovate at your pharmacy.
