Apr 03, 2024: Birmingham, Ala. – PharmaPoint has been awarded a spot on RxInsider’s 2024 Pharmacy500 List, joining the ranks of other prominent organizations recognized for significantly impacting the country’s pharmacy industry.

“We are honored to be included on this list,” says Mike Plaia, PharmaPoint CEO. “The privilege of advocating for patient’s medication treatment plans through the care continuum in order to help ensure members of high-risk populations are proactively engaged is what fuels our organization.”

Inspired by the Fortune 500, the Pharmacy500 is a list of 500 companies and national associations that had a significant impact on dispensing pharmacies across the United States last year.

“From driving operational efficiencies to supporting exemplary patient care, the Pharmacy500 represents companies that are shaping the pharmacy landscape,” says Greg Cianfarani, RPh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer for RxInsider. “We always strive to celebrate and recognize innovative products, services and companies across the pharmacy supply chain.”

About PharmaPoint
PharmaPoint is an innovative, technology-enabled pharmacy management and software company. XchangePoint, our proprietary integrated workflow management system supporting medication management across care transitions, is designed for pharmacy and care team members to drive medication optimization for at-risk patients in the acute, post-acute and ambulatory care settings. Additionally, through the management of outpatient retail pharmacies for hospitals, health systems and physician groups, our commitment to completing the care continuum results in improved patient health and satisfaction, reduced healthcare costs, and provides clients with a source of ancillary income. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., PharmaPoint has been recognized as one of the most innovative, inspiring and fastest growing private companies for six consecutive years by Inc. Magazine.

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Mar 28, 2024: The American Hospital Association has called the attack, perpetrated by the ransomware group ALPHV, or BlackCat, the most significant cyberattack in U.S. healthcare history

Outside news:
"... some members have told us they have literally thousands of claims sitting in the queue”

Mar 18, 2024: Artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency of pharmacy operations by using computer code to automate tasks, but it is not a substitute for the compassion and empathy that pharmacists can provide

Outside link:
"Pharmacists should think of AI as a decision support tool"

Mar 15, 2024: The odds of prescribing the appropriate dose of statins increased sixfold when automated referrals were made to pharmacy services to prescribe the medications, rather than waiting for the doctor, according to a presentation at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, in Philadelphia.

Outside link:
“This is a wonderful trial that shows the value of having a pharmacist as part of the healthcare team”

Mar 12, 2024: Panel discussion at Outcomes 2024 SYNC National Conference touched on many important themes in community pharmacy, including the evolving role of pharmacists, emerging tech and key challenges going forward

Outside link:
The role of the pharmacist really expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic

Feb 27, 2024: [Pharmacists] bring a "tremendous amount of value to the health care system, as we have seen decreases in hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality because the patient can have the right pharmacist helping lead their medication management for their individualized diseases both in hospital and when they transition their care to home after leaving the hospital."

Outside link:
The evolution of pharmacy, as a practice and profession, is unique in that its evolution has quickened exponentially in just the past 20 years

Feb 26, 2024: Access to a range of OTC treatment options saves consumers time and costs associated with unnecessary doctor appointments for mild or moderate ailments

Outside link:
A pharmacist can be a great advocate in your corner when it comes to your self-care

Feb 16, 2024: A workflow that automatically identifies patients who should be treated with a statin but are not, or who are not receiving the optimal dose, and refers those patients to a pharmacist for initiation of appropriate statin therapy may increase statin use among those who would benefit.

Outside link:
“This is a wonderful trial that shows with high internal validity the value of having a pharmacist as part of the healthcare team"

Feb 08, 2024: Keeping up with the medication therapy management (MTM) literature helps ensure patients receive appropriate pharmacotherapy, but staying up-to-date can be challenging.

Outside link:
Continuing education and networking can help pharmacists stay current with the profession

Jan 30, 2024: "This collaboration allows psychiatrists to focus on stabilizing patients while pharmacists check in with patients to make adjustments that support treatment success and overall health goals”

Outside link:
"The feedback we’ve received from both patients and clinicians is that pharmacists are well-integrated with the care team"

Jan 26, 2024: Pharmacists play a significant role in early identification, continuous monitoring, and interventions to help minimize the risk of falls in older adults

Outside link:
Fall-related injuries can cause long-term impacts on health outcomes and overall quality of life

Jan 22, 2024: "Their scope of practice includes patient counseling, improving medication adherence, resolving medication access issues, and optimizing treatment"

Outside link:
Regardless of a pharmacist’s practice site or type, they play an integral role in ensuring the treatment success of patients with HIV

Jan 18, 2024: With their knowledge and skills in medication education, consultation, and supervision, pharmacists can help alleviate the burdens associated with the self-management of T2D and improve health outcomes among patients.

Outside link:
By getting involved in patient care, pharmacists can help alleviate the burdens associated with the self-management of type 2 diabetes (T2D)

Jan 15, 2024: "Language barriers between pharmacists and patients impacts medication adherence, patient education, and overall health outcomes, resulting in patient harm."

Outside link:
"The need for pharmacists who can bridge these gaps has become essential for optimizing patient care."

Jan 10, 2024: One goal of pharmacogenomics (PGx) is to prevent adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which cause an estimated 1.3 million emergency department visits every year, according to the CDC

Outside link:
Even if a drug does not cause dangerous side effects, it may simply not be effective for a given patient.

Jan 08, 2024: "The number of e-prescriptions issued by pharmacists has increased by 47% between 2019 and 2022, with drugs used to treat chronic conditions consistently topping the list of medications electronically prescribed by pharmacists"

Outside link:
“These data confirm for us that pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in helping patients manage chronic conditions and prescribing medications for those conditions.”

Jan 04, 2024: Standards for medication distribution and patient care practiced in specialty pharmacies may improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care in retail pharmacies

Outside link:
“Adapting the proactive refill services commonly found with specialty pharmacies can improve outcomes for non-specialty patients”

Dec 13, 2023: Only 56% of pharmacy leaders thought their health system was prepared for a shift of formulary decisions regarding ultra–high-cost therapies

Outside link:
Pharmacists will routinely initiate and modify medications for opioid use disorder: 71% likely, 52% prepared (19% gap)

Dec 11, 2023: The growing population of older patients dealing with multiple chronic conditions continues to be a contributing factor to clinician wellbeing and a challenge for informaticians

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With each new chronic disease, there arises a need for additional medications, blood tests, and potential adjustments to existing medications

Dec 05, 2023: "There are plentiful opportunities for pharmacists to participate in designing and implementing population health programs to advance the health outcomes of a given group of patients"

Outside link:
Explore how pharmacy can help with your organization’s value-based goals

Dec 01, 2023: "Investigators determined that collaboration was an enabler of anemia management, and specifically, collaboration between pharmacists and physicians on community-wide point-of-care testing"

Outside link:
As an accessible health care provider, pharmacists could be an opportune resource to help patients manage anemia

Nov 27, 2023: Pharmacists are some of the most accessible and frequently visited healthcare professionals.

Outside link:
Our jobs don’t stop at the pharmacy counter.

Nov 22, 2023: In recent years, largely because of excessive workflow burdens and technological advances, technicians have increasingly taken on a more essential role within the pharmacy and its daily activities.

Outside link:
The future role of pharmacy technicians is likely to be more patient centered, technologically advanced, and collaborative

Nov 17, 2023: “Every interaction a pharmacist, technician, student, [or] intern has with a [patient] is an opportunity to educate, and the most powerful moments that you have are when you’re right there in front of the individual”

Outside link:
The accessibility of pharmacies has played a large role in what the industry can achieve for patients

Nov 16, 2023: “The choice to expand our partnership with PharmaPoint provided us with both the industry expertise needed to navigate the rigors of the ACHC accreditation process, as well as their XchangePoint platform to manage our targeted patient population.”

Outside link:
XchangePoint is an automated solution for medication-centric targeted patient engagement that allows users to follow a patient throughout their healthcare journey.

Nov 16, 2023: Birmingham, Ala. – The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has granted specialty pharmacy status to Pharmacy East, resulting in new and expanded access to patients across the care continuum at Physicians East’s multispecialty health care practice.

“Our integrated pharmacy strategy includes traditional retail pharmacy services with an emphasis on specialty pharmacy to better support our practice’s oncology division,” says Kim Sugg, Chief Financial Officer for Physicians East. “The choice to expand our partnership with PharmaPoint provided us with both the industry expertise needed to navigate the rigors of the ACHC accreditation process, as well as their XchangePoint platform to manage our targeted patient population.”

XchangePoint is an automated solution for medication-centric targeted patient engagement that allows users to follow a patient throughout their healthcare journey. The solution’s MedSpecialty module provides users the ability to build a complete medication history profile of both specialty and traditional medications across all prescribers to offer a wholistic view of a patient’s medication and support needs. This results in the capability to then provide adherence scores for all treatments and disease states.

“XchangePoint can be customized to meet the needs of the clinical campaigns we are pursuing around our patient’s medication plan adherence,” says Sugg. “Specifically, utilizing the MedSpecialty module as a tool allows us to strategically provide proactive care and more easily navigate an often-complicated journey through the care continuum for our high-risk patient population and their loved ones.”

Physicians East’s can target high-risk patients to have their medication treatment plans reviewed and monitored. This mitigates gaps in therapy or potential drug related problems resulting in nonadherence to a prescribed treatment plan and potential adverse drug events. Timed follow-up using patient prioritized dashboards and call lists are created to consistently identify and combat any adherence barriers and help ensure compliance.

About PharmaPoint
PharmaPoint is an innovative, technology-enabled pharmacy management and software company. XchangePoint, our proprietary integrated workflow management system supporting medication management across care transitions, is designed for pharmacy and care team members to drive medication optimization for at-risk patients in the acute, post-acute and ambulatory care settings. Additionally, through the management of outpatient retail pharmacies for hospitals, health systems and physician groups, our commitment to completing the care continuum results in improved patient health and satisfaction, reduced healthcare costs, and provides clients with a source of ancillary income. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., PharmaPoint has been recognized as one of the most innovative, inspiring and fastest growing private companies for six consecutive years by Inc. Magazine. For more information about our company, please visit www.pharmapoint.com.

About Physicians East
Physicians East is Eastern North Carolina’s largest private, medical-surgical multispecialty health care practice with over ninety providers caring for patients in Greenville, Farmville, Winterville, Kinston, and Beulaville. Our offering includes cardiology, dermatology, diagnostics, endocrinology, endoscopy, gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology, hematology & oncology, integrative medicine, laboratory & pre-op, nutrition, pharmacy, primary care, pulmonary & critical care, rheumatology, sleep medicine, surgery, urgent care, urogynecology, and urology. Since 1965, Physicians East’s physicians and staff have worked together to build a reputation of excellence in individualized, comprehensive, patient-focused health care. Through its dedicated and committed staff, Physicians East sets the benchmark for providing the highest quality and most innovative medical care available. For more information about Physicians East’s services, visit www.physicianseast.com or call 252-752-6101.

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Nov 09, 2023: “Our purpose is to improve access to medications for our patients, to be an easily available resource and help them through everything involved with getting their medications”

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"Embedded specialty pharmacists have been a game changer . . . Having someone readily available who knows the ins & outs of getting approval for medications is invaluable"

Nov 07, 2023: Study finds that pharmacists could save millions of lives and more than $1 trillion in healthcare costs if they were given more leeway to help patients with chronic care management and coordination

Outside link:
Improved outcomes that result in interventions by pharmacists could give patients more than 30 million “quality-adjusted life years”

Nov 03, 2023: Nonadherence can lead to treatment failure, rehospitalization, poor quality of life, increased comorbidities, and increased risk of suicide

Outside link:
Approximately 27% of individuals with a diagnosed behavioral health condition accounted for 57% of the total annual health cost

Nov 02, 2023: "Areas of focus for specialty medications include biosimilars, cancer treatments, and drugs across disease states such as inflammatory conditions, HIV, and multiple sclerosis."

Outside link:
Although specialty drug approvals have been on the rise, there is still work to be done in the specialty field

Nov 01, 2023: "Polypharmacy can increase the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), medication errors, nonadherence, drug–drug interactions, drug–disease interactions and other sequelae such as falls, depression, cognitive impairment, hospitalization and death"

Outside link:
“Depending on the setting, pharmacists can take various roles in the deprescribing process”

Oct 30, 2023: “Specialty medications require a lot of resources to manage, and so specialty pharmacies want to be sure their patients can access and use their medications”

Outside link:
Best practices for evaluating MA is the implementation of two metrics - proportion of days covered (PDC) and persistency

Oct 27, 2023: A panel of experts discuss several topics pertaining to the importance of annual influenza immunizations, including the different available vaccine formulations, the ACIP recommendations, and addressing barriers related to immunizing populations yearly.

Outside link:
Role of the Pharmacist in Improving Patient Outcomes

Oct 26, 2023: Specialty pharmacy is a niche industry whose highly focused clinical and administrative competencies support specific patient communities and their health stakeholders to execute complex, often persistent treatment plans.

Outside link:
System-related challenges are compounded for patients who take specialty medications.

Oct 23, 2023: “If a specialty pharmacy is totally integrated within a health system, then pharmacists and doctors could work together within the patient’s medical record. But that’s the exception more than the rule at this point.”

Outside link:
“In a perfect world, faxes would be obsolete”

Oct 11, 2023: “We need to educate decision makers on the value that can be realized by utilizing community pharmacy relationships to solve very personal, local, complex problems, many of which are socially driven and not clinical. Additionally, we need to scale these efforts quickly to help as many patients locally as possible.”

Outside link:
The community pharmacy reflects the diversity of the surrounding community.

Oct 05, 2023: "It is imperative that we continue to prioritize the well-being of our pharmacy personnel now to usher in positive changes that not only elevate their workplace experiences but also reinvigorates the profession toward upward mobility so they can be able to continue to deliver outstanding patient care."

Outside link:
Pharmacists across all healthcare settings are crucial in the United States healthcare system

Oct 03, 2023: At the time of hospital discharge or when picking up a medication from the pharmacy, pharmacists should augment counseling by discussing personalized home medication management techniques.

Outside link:
“There is method to this madness” describes routines that affect adherence to medication regimens.

Sep 27, 2023: "For underserved communities, value-based care could therefore offer a potentially powerful solution to address long-standing, structural disparities in public health outcomes."

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Access to quality primary care long been recognized as cornerstone for improving pop health & reducing healthcare disparities

Sep 22, 2023: An abundance of medical literature demonstrates that pharmacy participation in the medication reconciliation process is a cost-effective approach to optimizing patient care by preventing medication errors during transitions, facilitating communications among practitioners, allowing providers more time for other patient care tasks, and reducing 30-day readmissions.

Outside link:
Twenty-seven percent of prescribing errors can be attributed to inaccurate or incomplete home medication lists.

Sep 19, 2023: Community pharmacies and organizations can collaborate to tailor strategies and interventions and address the challenges and specific needs of the community.

Outside link:
One of the greatest impacts that community pharmacists made during the COVID-19 pandemic was provision of immunizations.

Sep 13, 2023: " . . . we encourage the DEA to review and incorporate stakeholders’ feedback in future rulemaking related to telemedicine prescribing."

Outside link:
"Pharmacists who testified said maintaining the current framework indefinitely would create lasting challenges."

Sep 08, 2023: "It’s a good sign that pharmacists are willing to prioritize quality and robust supply chains, because focusing on these two issues could potentially address the root causes of major drug shortages"

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“Today there’s no incentive to base a purchase on anything but price, and that needs to change"

Sep 06, 2023: "Proactive vendors go beyond just selling a product or service by providing valuable insights and ensuring reports and analytics are available to keep customers abreast of their performance."

Outside link:
"New releases alone are unlikely to solve customer experience problems."

Sep 05, 2023: The tool should recognize a pharmacist’s ability to distinguish clear instances of polypharmacy versus cases in which multiple medications for a given patient actually is the right approach.

Outside link:
The challenges in creating a useful AI tool for polypharmacy go beyond designing a smooth user experience

Aug 28, 2023: "By embracing collaboration, optimizing work hours, and prioritizing patient care, pharmacy technicians are leading the charge towards an inclusive, technologically advanced, and patient-focused era in pharmaceutical practice."

Outside link:
Accurate prescription data entry is paramount for patient safety

Aug 25, 2023: People responded best to a system that prioritizes the patient experience over quantity—and they want a care experience where the provider genuinely cares about them as a whole person rather than a collection of symptoms

Outside link:
Three-quarters of participants agreed that they associated “value-based care” with cheap, low-quality services

Aug 23, 2023: Pharmacists can help their communities in times of extreme heat by educating them about the dangers of heat and its effects on vulnerable populations

Outside link:
Identify patients who may be at greater risk during extreme heat events

Aug 21, 2023: "Pharmacists can offer valuable information about sunburn, sunscreen, and skin cancer screening and provide OTC recommendations on sunburn treatment and prevention."

Outside link:
Pharmacists can provide individualized recommendations so patients can stay healthy and safe

Aug 18, 2023: Pharmacists are uniquely positioned at the frontlines helping to ensure patients understand how to buy medications safely, both online and offline.

Outside link:
Approximately 95% of online drug sellers operate illegally, in direct violation of US state and federal laws

Aug 14, 2023: "Pharmacists can reach out to those [high risk] patients early, they can start having those conversations now. If patients come into the pharmacy for a refill of their medication, and you know that that's a high-risk patient, you can say 'Listen, Mrs. Smith, I know with your conditions that we would recommend this vaccine for you. We want to ensure that you are protected as we get into the fall.'”

Outside link:
Pharmacists can provide information, helping patients mentally prepare to know what to expect & why vaccines are recommended

Aug 08, 2023: "The individualized care and monitoring provided by specialty pharmacists has resulted in easier access, prompt initiation of therapy, and high adherence rates in patients who take specialty medications."

Outside link:
Specialty pharmacists play important role in dispensing PCSK9 inhibitors & serve as valuable source of assistance & education

Aug 02, 2023: The updated list, which includes look-alike and sound-alike name pairs, incorporates drug names that use FDA-approved and ISMP-recommended tall man (mixed-case) letters

Outside link:
Use the list to determine which medications require special safeguards to reduce the risk of errors and minimize harm

Jul 26, 2023: "Accidental prescription misuse and nonadherence is considered a factor in 25% of hospitalizations, half of treatment failures, and approximately 100,000 deaths annually."

Outside link:
"If finalized, the regulation would potentially reduce prescription nonadherence and accidental misuse."

Jul 25, 2023: DIR fees end up hurting pharmacies because pharmacists, who now owe money back to the patient, are billed long after the patient made a purchase.

Outside link:
Pharmacists will also benefit from increased drug cost transparency

Jul 21, 2023: They're looking to invest in tools that can help them boost efficiency and reduce waste, while simultaneously improving the quality of care delivery and boosting clinical outcomes.

Outside link:
About 40% of poll respondents say data reliability and data availability are top of mind as they look to new investments

Jul 20, 2023: Study results showed that implementing an institutional model with pharmacists on the front lines optimized oral antibiotic therapy at Transitions of Care (TOC).

Outside link:
Pharmacist-led discharge stewardship initiatives have shown promising results

Jul 14, 2023: "Pharmacists can address these gaps in influenza vaccinations in clinical practice and promote higher vaccination rates among vulnerable populations by providing informed recommendations."

Outside link:
Pharmacists are well-equipped to promote and actively administer vaccines in all practice settings

Jul 12, 2023: "Pharmaceuticals are a critical and often lifesaving tool for managing disease, but we will never solve our chronic disease crisis through a mindset of mere management."

Outside link:
Pharmacists are positioned for a bigger role in reducing the crisis of chronic disease in the United States

Jul 10, 2023: With all the benefits provided by community pharmacies, the panelists acknowledged that there are opportunities to expand their clinical service.

Outside link:
“Community pharmacists are in the community. We are meeting the people and are in the community with them”

Jun 30, 2023: "The impact of pharmacist on reducing medication expenses cannot be overstated as they leverage their medication management expertise within hospital settings through collaboration with the 340B program."

Outside link:
Providing greater access to medication leads to better patient outcomes

Jun 27, 2023: XchangePoint’s MedTransition platform will proactively help identify patients that are nonadherent or have potential interactions with their drug treatment plan.

Outside link:
Next Level Medical is the newest partner to choose PharmaPoint’s XchangePoint platform to optimize medication treatment plans for patients under their care

Jun 27, 2023: Birmingham, Ala., – Next Level Medical is the newest partner to choose PharmaPoint’s XchangePoint platform to optimize medication treatment plans for patients under their care.

The partnership will target Next Level PRIME members plus their spouses and dependents that have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol. XchangePoint’s MedTransition platform will proactively help identify patients that are nonadherent or have potential interactions with their drug treatment plan.

“XchangePoint is going to be the tool that allows us to prioritize our high-risk patients and monitor critical extended care touchpoints around medication adherence, potential drug interactions, duplicate therapies and drug/allergy interactions,” says Dr. Juliet Breeze, CEO of Next Level Medical, LLC. “Integration of this tool into our workflow increases the quality of care for our patients, all while lowering the cost of care. It’s a win/win scenario.”

Next Level PRIME members plus their spouses and dependents have unlimited access to Next Level locations seven days a week for primary, preventive, chronic and urgent care needs. Licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) are available by phone day and night to answer health questions and schedule appointments. PRIME members also have access to around the clock telemedical and virtual visits along with health and wellness coaching and behavioral health and emotional wellness counseling. Additionally, with PRIME, members have access to a full scope of high-quality care, including blood draws, lab testing, vaccines/immunizations and health screenings.

“I have always had an enormous amount of respect for Dr. Breeze,” says Mike Plaia, CEO of PharmaPoint. “She and her leadership team use a visionary care model to offer patients a seamless experience through the continuum of their healthcare journey. Partnering with an organization committed to providing excellent value-based care by removing any barriers that can occur between the provider and patient is the perfect collaborative effort for us. We are confident that our XchangePoint platform will further enable them to meet their goals.”

About PharmaPoint
PharmaPoint is an innovative, technology-enabled pharmacy management and software company. XchangePoint, our proprietary integrated workflow management system supporting medication management across care transitions, is designed for pharmacy and care team members to drive medication optimization for at-risk patients in the acute, post-acute and ambulatory care settings. Additionally, through the management of outpatient retail pharmacies for hospitals, health systems and physician groups, our commitment to completing the care continuum results in improved patient health and satisfaction, reduced healthcare costs, and provides clients with a source of ancillary income. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., PharmaPoint has been recognized as one of the most innovative, inspiring and fastest growing private companies for six consecutive years by Inc. Magazine. For more information about our company, please visit www.pharmapoint.com.

About Next Level Medical, LLC
Next Level Urgent Care was founded on the belief that it is possible to provide high-quality, cost-effective medical care for all who need immediate attention for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. As the first organization in Texas to achieve Urgent Care Center Accreditation through the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM), a voluntary evaluation that measures the quality of services and performance against nationally recognized standards, Next Level Urgent Care clinics provide an excellent alternative for the treatment of sprains, strains, fractures, lacerations, allergies, rashes and congestion issues. Unlike retail walk-in clinics, all Next Level facilities have x-ray equipment on site and employ providers who are procedurally trained to handle acute urgent medical conditions that are not life-threatening. With convenient locations throughout the Houston, San Antonio, and Austin areas, clinics are open seven days a week until 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www.nextlevelurgentcare.com.

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Jun 26, 2023: Task force to identify recommendations to support interoperability between pharmacy constituents for pharmacy-based clinical services and care coordination

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In the short-term, it is tasked with identifying critical standards and data needs for pharmacists and interested parties to participate in emergency use interventions

Jun 22, 2023: "Among health care professionals, pharmacists are best suited to serve as trusted partners for patients to help ensure they understand their medication regimen, identify medication-related problems, and work with prescribers to close gaps in care."

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"Pharmacists play an essential role in supporting best in class patient care"

Jun 19, 2023: “The literature shows that getting these patients on drug and keeping them on drug extends patients’ life span by four to seven years compared with regular standard of care”

Outside link:
The pharmacist performs medication education, drug management, prescription processing and refills

Jun 06, 2023: Oncology pharmacists can advocate for patients who would likely not benefit from chemotherapy—while still enduring its side effects—to other members of the care team, or discuss whether or not to pursue chemotherapy with patients themselves.

Outside link:
“In my biased opinion, oncology pharmacists have a great role to play”

May 31, 2023: Without proper medication management, patients with chronic conditions aren’t meeting their healthcare goals.

Outside link:
Recent estimates are that the United States spends $528 billion a year on suboptimal medication use

May 30, 2023: "Medication therapy management (MTM) is a critical component of patient-centered care and transition of care that can lead to improved patient outcomes, medication safety, and even reductions in health care costs."

Outside link:
"Pharmacy technicians are uniquely positioned to obtain complete, accurate medication histories—the first step in an effective MTM process."

May 25, 2023: “What we need are processes and technology that help people do the right thing, and stop them from doing the wrong thing”

Outside link:
"Medical facilities can draw inspiration from automobile manufacturers as they work to reduce medication errors"

May 19, 2023: Results of a new Wolters Kluwer survey revealed a generational divide as more Gen Z and Millennials have visited a local pharmacy to receive care in the past year than their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts.

Outside link:
"One doctor-one patient, single point of primary care coordination is vanishing"

May 17, 2023: The bill would authorize Medicare Part D reimbursements to pharmacists for disease prevention and management services that have shown to be cost-effective in the long run by reducing ER visits and hospital stays. Under the bill, a pharmacist would be reimbursed at a rate equal to what Medicare would have paid if the services had been provided by a physician.

Outside link:
“Patients living in medically underserved communities often struggle to access the care they need, and pharmacists have proven to be an essential source of care for these patients”

May 12, 2023: "Patients and the healthcare industry as a whole will continue to rely on pharmacists to play the role as a frontline care provider and trusted patient advocate."

Outside link:
Healthcare is moving quickly to convenient locations like pharmacies

May 02, 2023: From the medication reconciliation process at admission to post discharge medication accountability in the ambulatory setting, XchangePoint is a strategic investment in streamlining processes and workflows to provide real time results as you advocate for your patient’s medication treatment plan.

Outside link:
Join us on a journey.

Apr 28, 2023: Although the profession of pharmacist may seem fairly individualistic, the reality is that effectively collaborating with colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders—what we call smarter collaboration—is key to mastering the job.

Outside link:
Pharmacists have a lot on their plates, but more effective collaboration is a research-backed way they can tackle these challenges

Apr 20, 2023: Our team is consistently led by example from the very best! Check out CEO, Mike Plaia's latest podcast guest appearance to catch a glimpse into the philosophy behind his successful leadership style.

Outside link:
Leadership, integrity and attitude - with a healthy dose of football

Apr 13, 2023: It is imperative that pharmacists not only counsel their patients on health factors that can potentially impact their travels but also recommend actionable precautions that should be made prior to travels.

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Not only are pharmacists easily accessible to the public, they are also highly visible as a source for travel immunization services

Apr 05, 2023: "Health systems should take advantage of pharmacists’ expertise and real-time technological approaches to monitor patients for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and enable patients to report those effects more efficiently"

Outside link:
“Pharmacists play an essential role in the digital transformation of healthcare and efforts to meet patients where they are”

Mar 22, 2023: The ACCP’s Oncology Genomics Certification Program is designed to equip clinical pharmacists with the skills to apply oncology genomics to practice.

Outside link:
"This is a novel space offering pharmacists a critical opportunity to work in and lead interdisciplinary teams in a new practice model.”

Mar 21, 2023: "Staff members, especially immunizers, should look at every encounter as an opportunity to educate, support patients."

Outside link:
For many pharmacists, making immunization recommendations is a daily need but a daunting task

Mar 17, 2023: "A pharmacist-led opioid stewardship program at a health system in Georgia significantly improved opioid prescribing and usage, with estimated savings of nearly $21 million annually just among medical-surgical patients taking the analgesics."

Outside link:
“It’s a really good example of what pharmacists can do that has huge impact, and [demonstrates pharmacy's capabilities] as leaders to address the safety of very high-risk medications”

Mar 16, 2023: "Pharmacists are often perfectly positioned within interprofessional care teams to provide education on optimal dosing strategies and alternative recommendations based on patient-specific factors."

Outside link:
More than 90% of individuals harbor DNA variants that could affect response to medications

Mar 15, 2023: Pharmacists should continue to seek out opportunities to be involved in family medicine and chronic disease state management to make meaningful impacts on care.

Outside link:
Study highlights the importance of integrating a clinical pharmacist into the primary care team

Mar 09, 2023: "Students also recognized the role of the pharmacist is essential in mental health care as they handle the prescriptions and drugs related to these issues"

Outside link:
Pharmacy programs are implementing new practices into their curriculum and research is being focused on mental health care

Mar 07, 2023: "Pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring that patients can afford their medications, either by advising them on more affordable options or working with insurers and prescribers to find cheaper alternatives."

Outside link:
Studies have found that utilization increases, and adverse events improve when medications are covered by insurance

Feb 22, 2023: "Pharmacists can use the teach-back method during MTM consults to ensure patients understand the medication information that was discussed, and it can help improve medication adherence."

Outside link:
Pharmacists can encourage patients to play an active role in their health care

Feb 17, 2023: “It’s wonderful to see that hospitals and health systems are recognizing that pharmacists can increase accessibility to COVID-19 therapeutics, which can help reduce readmissions and improve mortality for their patients. ASHP recognizing this as a best practice is spot-on.”

Outside link:
The service “is an excellent use of pharmacist expertise”

Feb 13, 2023: “I think the biggest takeaway from this report is that when you give people access at the pharmacy to allow pharmacists to be administering vaccines, they choose to go to a pharmacy to get their vaccines, especially adults”

Outside link:
With more than 80,000 retail and outpatient pharmacy locations, pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals in the United States

Feb 07, 2023: Greater accessibility to clinical pharmacists and engagement on medications specifically can encourage better medication adherence, ultimately impacting patients’ health outcomes to their prescribed treatments.

Outside link:
Medication adherence is critical to ensuring that a patient’s prescription is as effective as intended

Feb 06, 2023: Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals in the country, with approximately 90% of the US population living within 5 miles of a community pharmacy

Outside link:
The increase in pharmacy-administered vaccinations was noted regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, or income

Jan 25, 2023: “The COVID[-19] pandemic led to unprecedented cooperation and effort to improve immunization rates to stem the immediate threat of illness and bridge gaps in health equity, which in turn spotlighted the role pharmacists play as an essential member of the health care team”

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“Our research shows that immunization rates improve when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are authorized to vaccinate adults”

Jan 24, 2023: "Determining how deeply to sedate patients in the ICU remains a complicated issue, but multiple studies demonstrate that pharmacist-led protocols can improve management of these challenging cases"

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“We need to do our best to optimize patient-specific pharmacotherapies while surrounding them with an infrastructure of best practices . . ."

Jan 23, 2023: With the snip of a ribbon, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital officially opened its new pharmacy — just within walking distance from its hospital in West Gainesville.

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The center includes educational resources to ensure patients are getting the right medication

Jan 20, 2023: "For those who make wellness-related resolutions, pharmacists can play a key role in ensuring these individuals stick to their New Year’s wellness pledges by being accountability partners, providing lifestyle advice, selling OTC products that promote diet and exercise, and even recommending first aid products if injuries occur, helping patients resume their wellness journeys more quickly."

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Pharmacists can assist their patients in setting SMART goals

Jan 19, 2023: The pharmacy utilizes software interfaced with the hospital’s medical records system. Pharmacists will have access to patient’s hospital medical records and prescription refill histories from other pharmacies.

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NFH opened a new pharmacy to improve access to pharmaceutical care for its patients

Jan 17, 2023: According to a new study, almost one quarter of hospital patients in the U.S. experience an adverse event

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Adverse drug events accounted for 39% of all events

Jan 12, 2023: "Pharmacists play a key role in the health care system, far beyond dispensing medications. In addition to educating patients about their prescriptions and working daily to ensure medication compliance and provide medication therapy management services, pharmacists also partner with other health care providers to provide holistic care."

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"Pharmacists report a myriad of reasons for joining the profession, including the connections they can build with patients."

Jan 11, 2023: "The study authors noted their support for 'multidisciplinary interventions to ensure frequent follow-ups, prescription reminders, and counseling to target challenges to medical adherence.'”

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"Patients with depression were significantly less likely to have adequate 12-month adherence to antiplatelets, β-blockers, and statins than those without depression."

Jan 05, 2023: Now that cold season is in full swing, pharmacists are receiving many questions from families about recommendations for cold and cough products.

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Pharmacists play a vital role in counseling and educating families about medication safety for these products

Dec 15, 2022: Preventing medication errors is an essential component of caring for patients and must be a core mission of every pharmacy.

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For medication error–prevention efforts to be effective, they must be a priority