Amazon has officially launched Amazon Pharmacy, a move that industry experts, as well as local pharmacists have been expecting. Amazon Pharmacy, marketed as a ‘digital drug store’ will deliver prescription medications directly to consumers in a mail-order format; however Amazon Pharmacy will not be able to provide many of the healthcare services local pharmacies offer their patients.
In addition to filling prescriptions, community-based pharmacies serve as a central point in healthcare to provide medication management – where pharmacists identify potential adverse effects, prevent serious drug interactions, and recommend treatment or dose adjustments to prescribers. Local pharmacists routinely partner with prescribers to optimize patients’ medications for affordability and to ensure limited delay for patients in receiving important therapies and desired outcomes.
Local brick and mortar pharmacies within West Virginia also provide immunizations, including the highly-anticipated COVID vaccine, and health screenings for chronic and acute conditions, such as high blood pressure and influenza. When a prescription is needed for an antibiotic or middle-of-the-night discharge medications from the emergency room, it will be live, local pharmacies that will serve West Virginia’s communities. In addition, the majority of local pharmacies already offer free prescription delivery and have implemented technology to ensure medications are easy to order, track, and receive.
Pharmacy Value
Who ensures your medications are stored in the correct conditions and delivered on time?
Although Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) and the COVID-19 pandemic have put an increased strain on pharmacies, many in West Virginia have continued to expand the number of services they provide their patients. Because West Virginia pharmacies have already been competing with PBM-owned mail-order pharmacies, many know the most successful pharmacies will focus on the delivery of value and patient care.
“In 2019, the West Virginia Legislature noticed an emergence of mail-order pharmacy operations. To protect patients and independent community pharmacies, the Legislature mandated that a pharmacy benefit manager’s (PBM’s) network must not be comprised only of mail-order benefits but must have a mix of mail-order benefits and physical stories in the state. This change protects access to the many health care services that trusted pharmacists provide to their patients in the Mountain State.”, explained West Virginia Independent Pharmacy Association Executive Director, Matt Walker.
West Virginia Pharmacist Association President, Katie Kacmarik, PharmD, stated, “West Virginians should not only be able to choose their pharmacy provider from which they receive care and prescriptions, but also strongly consider how having a ‘pharmacy home’ and a local pharmacist as a member of your healthcare team ensures you have a personal advocate for medications that are affordable, effective and appropriate for your specific needs. West Virginia pharmacists have been serving their communities without fail throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – and will be here, in your communities, through whatever the future may bring.”
How does one receive important medications, such as antibiotics, quickly? When time is critical, pharmacists in community pharmacies are reliable and knowledgeable.
The West Virginia Pharmacists Association and West Virginia Independent Pharmacy Association stand united in providing care for West Virginians through pharmacies and pharmacists in West Virginia. “We take care of our own. With the emergence of a shop local culture for everything, it is important to not forget your local pharmacies. Support your local pharmacies that employ your community members and provide consistent, accessible services year-round.”, commented WVPA Vice President, Matthew Rafa, PharmD.
Pharmacists Answer the Call for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
