Abstract
Background:
New and innovative ways to efficiently and effectively deliver pharmacy services are necessary to ensure the future viability of the pharmacy profession. We believe that the practice of telepharmacy may be one potential option for some health-care institutions.
Objective:
To measure the impact of a satellite telepharmacy on medication adherence by making 340B medication pricing more accessible to uninsured, underserved patients in an urban setting and to assess the level of patient acceptance of pharmacy services provided through the use of a telepharmacy.
Methods:
A retrospective electronic review of medication claims data submitted by community pharmacies was used to ascertain medication adherence rates of patients using our telepharmacy. Using a 30-day supply, the mean number of days between refills for all prescriptions was determined for each patient at his/her respective pharmacy setting (telepharmacy, retail chain, or both). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine whether significant differences existed in the overall mean number of days between refills for each setting. Additionally, patient satisfaction surveys were distributed to patients using the telepharmacy.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in the mean (SD) number of days between refills for those using telepharmacy (37.1 [7.3]) versus retail chain (38.8 [10.3]; p = 0.610). Among patients using the telepharmacy, 95/250 (38%) completed patient satisfaction survey questionnaires; 87% indicated that the telepharmacy always made it easier to refill prescriptions, while 85% felt that speaking with the pharmacist through the videotelephone improved medication understanding.
Conclusions:
Similar outcomes were observed in the telepharmacy and retail chain settings. Medications were consistently refilled in both settings beyond the time in which they were actually due to be refilled. Patient assessment of the telepharmacy indicated high degrees of satisfaction with accessibility, service, and patient counseling.
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