PHARMACY | AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Empowering Pharmacists Technology and automation companies offer operational solutions for pharmacies By Sandra Levy
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all it the year of the pharmacist. Never have pharmacists’ roles been more expansive, more complex or more visible to patients. While the pandemic pummeled numerous businesses, pharmacies thrived by stepping up and filling the void. While continuing to face mounting pressures from crushing DIR fees, low reimbursement and the requirement to quickly fill a high volume of prescriptions, pharmacists also are providing a host of clinical services,
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including COVID-19 testing, immunizations, point-of-care testing, medication therapy counseling, preventive care and prescribing medications in many states where they recently have been granted authorization. When asked, automation and technology companies concur that amid the pandemic, patients have become increasingly reliant on pharmacists to provide a vast array of clinical services, even as pharmacists have been under increased pressure to be more efficient. Determined to lighten pharmacists’
workload so they can focus more on patients, technology and automation companies are amplifying their products and services. Many technology companies are helping pharmacies address the critical responsibility of adherence, which has become more challenging for pharmacists amid the pandemic. For example, Irving, Texas-based McKesson stepped up to the plate with its Adherence Performance Solution and Clinical Programs Solution to help pharmacies identify nonadherent patients and patients at risk of
October 2021 DRUGSTORENEWS.COM
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