Thirty million people have diabetes in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And, medical costs for people who have diabetes are twice as high than for those who don’t.
Thrifty White Pharmacy, an employee-owned regional pharmacy chain in the rural Midwest, saw an opportunity to help reduce costs and maximize health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
The pharmacy launched its Healthy Outcomes Diabetes Support Program in January to improve medication adherence in patients with diabetes.
How the program works
After patients enroll in the program, they fill out a survey and select three goals they want to achieve by participating in the program. Then, each patient goes through a series of health screenings to establish baseline levels, including blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Patients are also automatically enrolled in Thrifty White’s medication synchronization program. The goal is to improve adherence by enabling patients to pick up all of their medications at the same time each month.
After two months in the program, pharmacists conduct a comprehensive medication review (CMR) with the patient. During the review, pharmacists determine optimal drug therapies, answer questions and look for ways to save the patient money on medications.
Pharmacists also call patients on a monthly basis to review their goals, screen for side effects or missed doses and set up their next appointment to pick up their medications.
Patients enrolled in the program can expect quarterly reviews of their A1c levels to ensure they’re in the recommended range.
Filling a gap in diabetes care
Thrifty White offers the Healthy Outcomes Diabetes Support Program directly to employers and through health plan partnerships.
The pharmacy learned that employers in their communities considered diabetes and its associated costs to be a top concern. The program allows these employers to help employees manage their diabetes, reduce costs and improve their health.
And, the pharmacy realized it could help local health plans save money by implementing a diabetes support program.
Thrifty White’s innovative solution for patients who have trouble managing their diabetes shows how independent pharmacies can play a vital role in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on the health care system.
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