How technology is fueling the future of pharmacy
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Pharmacies have always served as cornerstones of community health. The post-pandemic era has ushered in significant changes, including the evolving role of pharmacists, increasingly recognized as providers. This transition, occurring on a state-by-state basis, is redefining how pharmacies operate and interact with patients.
As the future of pharmacy takes shape, technology is emerging as a pivotal ally, offering innovative ways to enhance pharmacy workflows and patient care.
This article delves into these trends, focusing on how to embrace and leverage technology for what lies ahead.
Pharmacist as provider: a growing trend
The recognition of pharmacists as healthcare providers empowers pharmacies to play a more direct role in patient care, extending their services beyond dispensing medications. On its surface, this appears to be an effective way to increase efficiency, since patients visit pharmacies an average of nine times more per year than they see primary care physicians.1
The increased access to care is good news for patients, but can leave pharmacies overextended and understaffed. Stepping into this larger care role increases pharmacists’ administrative burden – requiring them to develop innovative patient engagement strategies, manage concerns about prescription affordability, and grapple with prior authorization headaches.
Technology: changing the future of pharmacy
In response to these changes, access to patient healthcare data stands out as a key enabler. The integration of technology in pharmacy operations is not just about adopting new tools; it’s about reimagining the entire pharmacy workflow. Here are some ways technology is facilitating this transformation:
Streamlining operations
Technology introduces automation for routine or repetitive tasks, significantly reducing the time spent on manual processes. This automation allows pharmacists to focus more on patient-centric activities, such as counseling and proactive care management.
Enhancing data management and interoperability
Increasing responsibilities leave pharmacists with less time to hunt down patient data. Technology solutions offer enhanced data management capabilities, enabling pharmacists to access and update patient records seamlessly. Interoperability between different healthcare systems ensures that pharmacists have all the necessary information at their fingertips, facilitating better-informed decisions.
Improving patient engagement and experience
Technological advancements also play a crucial role in enhancing the patient experience. Tools like patient portals and automated messaging systems offer patients more convenient ways to manage their medications, access pharmacy services, and communicate with their pharmacists. Automation of pharmacy services also expedites eligibility verifications and prescription processing, enabling patients to start treatments sooner.
Personalizing care with predictive analytics
Advanced analytics tools help pharmacists to identify patterns and predict patient needs. This ability to anticipate and respond to patient requirements proactively leads to more personalized and effective care, improving medication adherence and overall outcomes.
Expanding reach through digital health solutions
The rise of digital health solutions, including telepharmacy, has been significant in expanding the reach of pharmacy services. This not only makes healthcare more accessible but also more adaptable to the needs of diverse patient populations.
Embracing the future of pharmacy with optimism
The integration of technology in pharmacy and patient management is not a challenge to overcome, but an opportunity to reach a new level of efficiency, provide the best possible outcomes for patients, and help reduce the cost of care.
ScriptMed®, Inovalon’s specialty and infusion pharmacy management software solution, serves seven of the top 15 specialty pharmacy companies in the nation.2 Many of Inovalon’s pharmacy team members are former pharmacists themselves, with a unique understanding of the specific needs and considerations of pharmacy workflows.
That’s why ScriptMed was developed as a one-stop solution that supports pharmacy operations from end-to-end. Not only does it offer configurable workflows and provide access to complete, critical patient data – it does it all within a single system.
Reach new levels of efficiency with Inovalon
Embracing technology and automation has the ability to transform your pharmacy operations and delivery. When everything you need is at your fingertips, you can accomplish more each day with less effort and hassle. Not only can ScriptMed streamline and simplify your workflow, it’s also intuitive, easy to use, and provides pharmacists with a complete patient picture.
Learn more about how to successfully navigate the future of pharmacy and become an integral part of a holistic healthcare experience for your patients.
- “The Role of Community Pharmacists in Patient Safety,” Patient Safety Network, October 24, 2021, https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/role-community-pharmacists-patient-safety
- Based on “DCI’s Top 15 Specialty Pharmacies of 2022: Five Key Trends About Today’s Marketplace,” April 12, 2023. Inovalon internal reporting, April 2024.
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