Pharmacy Blog
The term “specialty pharmacy” describes the distribution channels created specifically to handle specialized medications. A specialty pharmacy provides medications intended to treat uncommon or difficult medical diseases. A neighborhood pharmacy wouldn’t offer these medications because, frequently, the majority of people don’t use them. A specialty pharmacy can be a helpful resource for people who require access to prescription medications for complex conditions including multiple sclerosis and cancer.
The effectiveness of patients using specialized medications to treat chronic diseases is significantly influenced by the quality of their care. If you work with a specialized pharmacy for treatment, there are a few things you can anticipate being offered to assist you in managing the process.
We'll look at what kind of services you should anticipate from a specialist pharmacy:
What separates specialty pharmacies from retail ones
The primary distinction between specialty and retail pharmacy is the illnesses they treat and the medications they distribute. Patients frequently visit typical retail pharmacies for short-term ailments. This could include the usual cold, allergies, minor wounds, headaches, and more. Most medications that retail pharmacies sell don’t need a lot of explanation and are manageable for patients to take. Specialty pharmacies specialize in treating chronic and complicated ailments. Conditions handled by retail pharmacies demand a more hands-on approach.
This covers ailments including HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, hepatitis, and transplant, among others. Drugs used to treat these illnesses frequently involve complicated dosage schedules or unpleasant side effects. Additionally, managing chronic illnesses requires more time and direct medical attention. This is where specialty pharmacies shine. Specialty pharmacies have the personnel and tools necessary to regularly engage with patients in order to provide additional support, guarantee medication adherence, and improve performance.
Staff and Pharmacist Availability
Expert pharmacists have significant clinical knowledge and a disease-state emphasis, which enables them to counsel patients on complex medical issues. Specialty pharmacies use additional support staff members that are not necessary for retail pharmacies. While some specialized pharmacies are only open during work hours, many offer their patients round-the-clock help. When selecting a specialized pharmacy, look for a pharmacist who can meet with patients one-on-one and assist them in managing their prescription medication schedules.
Resources and Assistance for Education
Specialty pharmacy must provide thorough patient education and counseling for chronic diseases. For certain illnesses, there is no margin for error when it comes to prescription regimens; therefore, thorough patient education and assistance can have a significant impact on compliance. When selecting a specialist pharmacy, inquire about the educational services offered to address any concerns or questions you may have regarding care.
Programs for Medication Adherence
Medication non-adherence is the cause of around 25% of hospitalizations and up to 50% of treatment failures annually. Many specialty pharmacies offer adherence services to help patients better manage their care because they believe that drug adherence may have a direct impact on patient outcomes. Text message prescription reminders and smart pill bottles are just a couple of the ways specialty pharmacies can improve patient adherence.
Resources and Assistance in Money
In order to help patients obtain the specialty medications they require to avoid any disruptions in their treatment, several specialty pharmacies provide patients valuable financial support. Employees in specialty pharmacies, for example, could get in touch with insurance companies to finish the previous patient authorization procedure.
They also assist patients in registering for financial aid services by working directly with non-profit organizations and pharmaceutical manufacturers in an effort to reduce expenses. In order to guarantee that patients obtain the maximum amount of benefits, specialty pharmacies also verify the insurance information provided by their clients and determine the payer hierarchy.
These are a few of the primary services offered by specialty pharmacies in an effort to set themselves apart from retail pharmacies and better assist customers who are using specialty medications to treat complex medical issues.