It’s always important to stay ahead of the game, and there are several proven ways to do it, including trying out innovative pharmacy services.
As you make your pharmacy as current and appealing as possible, adding new pharmacy services — and relying on your pharmacy software system to seamlessly integrate them — will make your independent pharmacy stand out from the rest of the pack.
If you're looking to get ahead, try out these 4 pharmacy services, along with tips and tricks for integrating in your pharmacy software.
1. Compounding
It’s one of the most sought-after services right now. Compounding is a time-consuming process that depends on careful precision and attention to detail. However, it’s one thing to offer compounding services — it’s another thing entirely when it comes to software.
Your workflow is likely hectic with no shortage of customers or doctors waiting to phone in a new prescription.
As such, your software has to strike a balance between brisk productivity and the attention to detail necessary to properly compound medications.
How is your billing system? Compound billing is an even more complex ordeal than a typical prescription. You will want to make sure you’re being properly compensated for the work you and your pharmacy are doing.
How easy is it to log these compounds? Perhaps the most important part of compounding is recording what exactly you’re making.
Logging compounds go beyond the quantities and dosage strengths — a medication’s lot number, NDC, and expiration date are among other important factors to consider when compounding.
Making assumptions is never the way to go when it comes to medications. Before you know it, that spare bottle you used to compound a prescription has a lot number that’s been recalled by the CDC.
It then snowballs into an avalanche of paperwork and unnecessary stress that could’ve easily been prevented.
2. Vaccinations
More likely than not, your independent pharmacy software already has rather extensive options to help safely administer vaccinations. Whether it’s the seasonal flu shot or the second Shingrix dose, you’ll want to ensure your software is helping you cross every T and dot every I.
As mentioned before, lot numbers can be an overlooked part of a shipment that will grow into a huge problem.
Because vaccinations are more widely administered compared to compound medications, the margin of error with a faulty lot number is more widespread. Suffice to say, you’ll want to make sure your software has your back.
Does your pharmacy software allow you to efficiently share vaccine records? Many patients require proof of vaccination for international travel or for school purposes.
Make sure your software can create clear, easy-to-read copies of the vaccine record to prevent complications down the line.
3. Drug-Drug Interaction Overviews
Simple mistakes happen: processing a high-dose flu shot meant for elderly patients for a teenager is an honest mix-up, but not a harmless one. Sometimes a patient’s insurance provider will reject the claim before it goes any further, but what if it doesn’t?
This makes your pharmacy software system your last line of defense.
Your software should know the ins and outs of pharmacy as much as you do. Human errors happen all the time, but drug-drug interactions can pose serious — even fatal — consequences.
Your software should act as a safety net that won’t let anything slip past it. Though drug interactions apply to more than just compounding medications, it’s an absolutely essential feature to have when the situation arises.
4. Testing - Flu, A1C, Cholesterol
Independent pharmacies are evolving to be full-fledged health care station that goes beyond the dispensing of medications. With the rapid demand of COVID-19 testing and (presumably) monkeypox, testing programs appear to be a staple in the pharmacy workflow.
With flu season slowly coming in full swing, it simply makes sense for your independent pharmacy to provide services that monitor, prevent, or treat the flu. In the case of testing, your software can help set up an easy-to-follow schedule that won’t hinder the rest of the workplace.
Make sure the testing information is easy to find in the patient’s profile, painting a comprehensive picture of the patient’s medical needs and whether a flu diagnosis is something to worry about.
Should they test positive for the flu, direct them to the nearest urgent care or emergency room. Then they can send a prescription to you, letting you utilize your services in more ways than one.
Much of the same applies to A1C and cholesterol testing. Chances are the customers coming in for testing don’t fill at your pharmacy, so take the time to develop a rapport with them, create a patient profile, and log whatever the test finds.
Encourage them to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician and be on the lookout for a prescription soon after. Customers prefer convenience, and what better way to emulate that than to be a one-stop shop for all sorts of health needs?
Conclusion
Your pharmacy software system is meant to be a reflection of the pharmacy itself: an optimal, convenient place for all a customer’s medical needs. Having software that can efficiently handle the demands of pharmacy services will prevent your workplace from neglecting other pharmacy services.
Check out all the other aspects of pharmacy software systems you need to look out for here.
