Telepharmacy Business Model Allows Satellite Operation and Increased Patient Convenience

At the Shoshone Pharmacy in Shoshone, ID, a patient arrives to pick up his prescription. The technician asks him to wait, explaining that the pharmacist would like to discuss potential drug interactions with him. The patient is ushered into a private room where he sits across from a 20 inch video screen. Before long, the pharmacist, who is at another pharmacy, appears on the screen, and the discussion commences.

Telepharmacy scenarios, like that take place regularly at Shoshone Pharmacy, and are becoming more common at chain, retail, and health-system pharmacies nationwide.

Currently, 23 states allow telepharmacy, though requirements vary, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Several other states have telepharmacy pilot programs in place.

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