6 minute read
INDUSTRY NEWS
from DSN-0123
by ensembleiq
CVS using technology to fill prescriptions remotely
CVS is moving along with a plan it initiated in Arizona to help pharmacists fill prescriptions remotely, thereby reducing pharmacists’ workload and allowing them to deliver medical services such as vaccinations and health screenings.
The retailer is using technology such as robotics, automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence across more than 9,000 stores.
“To help our pharmacists provide patients with trusted clinical care and additional pharmacy services, we’ve implemented several programs aimed at reducing the amount of time they spend on administrative tasks,” a CVS representative told Drug Store News
The rep added that the retailer is using a new approach to dynamic workload sharing across more than 9,000 stores – operating as one team and fleet, rather than managing workload at each store individually.
“With our new workshare model, certain parts of pharmacy workflow can be completed virtually and may be done by a team in a neighboring store (that has capacity) or centrally, varying by state,” the CVS rep said. “This multi-faceted approach to pharmacy workflow is key to how we’re building the pharmacy of the future to optimize our presence in local communities, so we can continue to serve patients where and when they need us most.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that the new system is intended to help pharmacists fill prescriptions remotely as the drugstore chain faces staff shortages and attempts to deliver additional medical services. Prem Shah, CVS’s chief pharmacy officer, told the newspaper that a model for pharmacist-free drugstores is not the company’s goal. Instead, the company is testing if some pharmacies can operate at times without pharmacists on staff, the report said.
Rite Aid’s 2nd small-format store opens in rural Virginia
Rite Aid Pharmacy has opened a new small-format store in Greenville, Va. This store marks the company’s second Rite Aid Pharmacy location in rural Virginia as part of a pilot program to improve access to pharmacy services in “pharmacy deserts” and underserved communities.
Similar to the Rite Aid Pharmacy that opened in Craigsville several weeks ago, these smaller format stores will feature a full-service pharmacy and a retail assortment of health and wellness products. This Rite Aid Pharmacy location will occupy approximately 2,400 sq. ft., which is significantly smaller than the standard Rite Aid locations residing within a business strip mall center.
“We are proud to bring vital pharmacy services to this community, making it easier for people to get the medications and products they need to stay healthy,” said Andre Persaud, Rite Aid’s chief retail officer. “Pharmacists play a vital role in the health of our communities by helping individuals understand their conditions and staying up to date on their medications and vaccinations. Our local pharmacy team in Greenville looks forward to becoming that trusted care connector and helping to improve health outcomes.”
Greenville is part of the Staunton-Waynesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area. Currently, the closest pharmacy for Greenville residents exists approximately ten minutes away from the new Rite Aid Pharmacy location, the company said.
Rite Aid plans to open another Rite Aid Pharmacy location in Scottsville, Va., in early 2023.
The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and EmsanaRx, a pharmacy benefit manager, are joining forces to launch EmsanaRx Plus, which the company described as “a first-of-its-kind supplemental drug discount product designed specifically for employers as a standalone pipeline for lower-cost medicines that have been contracted directly with drug manufacturers by Cost Plus Drugs.”
The EmsanaRx Plus supplemental drug discount product represents a transition for Cost Plus Drugs from operating exclusively in the direct-to-consumer market into the employer market. This new partnership is a response to a growing desire among employers and other healthcare purchasers to work with new market entrants whose interests are aligned with theirs and that of their employees, namely, to reduce wasteful spending and increase transparency, while maintaining access to high-quality care, the company said.
“Like Cost Plus Drugs, EmsanaRx is working to disrupt the current pharmacy supply chain to eliminate the unnecessary markup and profiteering that is burdening businesses and consumers with high drug costs,” founder Mark Cuban said. “By partnering with a company as committed to transparency as Cost Plus Drugs, and with the technological capabilities to customize to the needs of selffunded employers, we are able to bring lower-cost medicines to a wider swath of the American public.”
The relationship with EmsanaRx enables Cost Plus Drugs to offer its low-cost medications to employers due to EmsanaRx’s ability to integrate with employer-sponsored drug benefits. This relationship offers added value to existing employer-based prescription benefit coverage.
Currently, when employee members use prescription drug discount card options, employers lose access to critical information and employees spend money on medications that don’t apply to their health plan deductible or maximum outof-pocket costs. EmsanaRx Plus will provide deep discounts on medications without employees having to go outside of their health plan benefits to realize those savings.
EmsanaRx Plus advocates will assist employers and employees interested in transferring their medications to a lower-cost option, and coordinate with providers on behalf of patients.
“Employers are increasingly recognizing that they’re being held hostage by a consolidated industry playing games that cost them more every year without adding value,” said Greg Baker, CEO of EmsanaRx. “In partnering with Cost Plus Drugs, we will help employers understand where high-cost drugs are a problem in their current benefit design and give them and their employees access to lower-cost alternatives.”
As cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV tick up, retailers such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have instituted product limits.
A CVS rep shared with Drug Store News that to ensure equitable access for all of its customers, there is currently a two-product limit on all children’s pain relief products at all CVS Pharmacy locations and online.
“We’re committed to meeting our customers’ needs and are working with our suppliers to ensure continued access to these items,” the rep said.
A Walgreens spokesperson provided the following statement to DSN: “Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products are seeing constraints across the country. In an effort to help support availability and avoid excess purchases, we put into effect an online-only purchase limit of six per online transaction for all over-the-counter pediatric fever reducers.”
“Walgreens works diligently to anticipate and avoid product shortages where possible by partnering with new and current suppliers and distributors to minimize the impact and inconvenience for our patients and customers. For customers looking for items, our website updates with the latest available store inventory information frequently throughout the day. Additionally, Walgreens same day delivery and pickup provide contactless options for receiving products,” the spokesperson said.
A Rite Aid spokesperson shared with DSN, “We do not have in-store purchasing limits on these products at this time. As for online, we have limits on the 4 oz. grape flavor of Children’s Tylenol only — and that purchase limit is 5. All other flavors and varieties of Children’s Tylenol do not have any limits on the website.
“We are experiencing high demand of pediatric and adult over-the-counter cold/flu medication and fever reducer/pain reliever due to high illness incidence. We are working closely with suppliers to meet the demand and mitigate shortages where possible. If customers don’t see their preferred cold/ flu treatment products on the shelf, they should speak with the pharmacist for recommendations on other OTC options that best suit their needs,” the Rite Aid rep said.
