L7.ambulatory pharmacy

Office Closure

  • Offices will be closed on December 31st and January 1st for the holidays.

Step 3: Ambulatory Pharmacy

Definition

  • Ambulatory or outpatient care refers to medical care provided on an outpatient basis.

  • Patients do not stay overnight in the facility, emphasizing a community-based approach.

Types of Ambulatory Pharmacies

  • These pharmacies serve local communities and can be privately owned, chain, or franchise.

  • Commonly referred to as community-based, community, or retail pharmacies.

Services Offered

  • Fill prescriptions for ambulatory care patients.

  • Provide drug-related services and may carry additional retail products:

    • Drug equipment

    • Cosmetics

    • Over-the-counter medications

    • Consumer goods (e.g., candy, milk, toilet paper)

  • Serve a diverse range of customers, including those needing specific medical supplies or inhalers.

Settings for Ambulatory Pharmacies

  1. Managed Care Clinic

    • Operate as part of managed care systems.

  2. Independent Pharmacy

    • Owned by individuals or small groups; often specialized (e.g., medical equipment).

    • Generally focused on community and personal service.

  3. Chain or Franchise Pharmacy

    • Multiple stores owned by the same company.

    • High volume with larger operations.

    • Types include:

      • Mass merchandise (e.g., Costco, Target)

      • Chain drugstores (e.g., CVS, Rite-Aid)

      • Grocery store pharmacies (e.g., Safeway, Kroger)

Example: CVS/Pharmacy

  • Represents a typical chain or franchise pharmacy, highlighting the connection to broader retail pharmacy services.

Clinic Pharmacy

Location and Functionality

  • Typically located within a physician's office building or a hospital.

  • Allows convenient access for patients post-appointment.

  • May collaborate with physicians for shared patient information.

Medications Managed

  • Commonly prepares specialized medications (e.g., chemotherapy drugs) for patients in specialized clinics.

  • Limited supply of non-medical and non-prescription items.

Managed Care Pharmacy

Operations

  • Focus on medications covered by managed care organizations.

  • Restricted to members of the managed care organization.

Mail-Order Pharmacy

Overview

  • Fills prescriptions delivered by mail, appealing for cost savings and convenience.

  • Less face-to-face interaction for pharmacy technicians, focusing on processed prescriptions.

Retail vs. Mail-order Pharmacies

Ongoing Debate

  • Retail pharmacists are advocating against mandatory mail-order prescriptions imposed by employers and insurance companies.

  • Historically, mail-order pharmacies offered lower prices but local pharmacies are now competitive.

    • Independent pharmacists in New York pushing legislative changes to promote patient choice.

Patient-Centric Care

  • Benefits include personalized service and easier monitoring of prescriptions by local pharmacists.

  • Many patients, especially the elderly or those on multiple medications, prefer in-person consultations.

Industry Developments

  • Pharmacists are finding ways to compete with mail-order prices to retain patients.

  • Some benefit managers are reconsidering prescription policies to balance cost-saving and personal service aspects.

Case Example

  • An elderly patient's experience underscores the importance of local pharmacy relationships and advocacy in obtaining necessary medications through local stores.

Conclusion

  • Pharmacy technicians have diverse options in ambulatory pharmacies, contributing to various pharmacy settings that offer stimulating work environments.