WASHINGTON — Pharmacists in 20,000 locations across the U.S. are about to move to the other side of the counter.
A new company called RxAlly has created a network of pharmacies that will share technology and create more personal relationships with patients.
“Pharmacists are the most underutilized professionals in the health care industry,” Greg Wasson, the CEO of Walgreens, said at the National Press Club Wednesday.
Walgreens’ 8,000 locations are joining 12,000 pharmacies in the RxAlly network to streamline patient care.
Bruce Roberts, the CEO of RxAlly said patients visit the pharmacy more than their primary doctor, yet $290 billion is wasted on improper use of medicine.
“The pharmacist needs to play a more meaningful role in patient care with face-to-face interaction,” Roberts said. “I want to create a virtual army of coaches.”
Roberts has started many companies in the pharmaceutical industry with a focus on technology. He started this new venture because he saw a need for an overhaul in pharmaceutical patient care.
According to a study by the New England Health Care Institute, 10 percent of annual health care costs can be avoided.
“The single greatest opportunity to bend the curve is helping patients take their meds appropriately,” said Valerie Fleishman, the executive director of the institute. “Medication adherence is the 800-pound gorilla in our health care system today and if we are serious about reigning in health care costs we need to make this a national priority.”
RxAlly wants to change the culture of patient and pharmacists interactions. Roberts said patients are more willing to take medication correctly if they meet with their pharmacist. His company plans to offer incentives for patients to talk with their pharmacists outside of the over-the-counter interaction.
“Pharmacists are the most-accessible professionals in the health care industry,” Wasson said. “70 percent of Americans do not have or don’t utilize a primary care physician. Who is positioned better than community pharmacists to fill that void?”
RxAlly’s launch comes just a month before the Supreme Court examines the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Robert’s said the services that RxAlly provides will be increasingly valuable once health care is available to millions more patients.
Don Anderson, the president of the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative, said RxAlly is a “game changer.”
