The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports that about 25% of hospitals have retail pharmacies, and that count has remained steady over the past ten years. The same ASHP survey indicates that few hospitals under 200 beds have retail pharmacies, because they don’t have the prescription volume needed. ASHP has also begun surveying hospitals on how many pharmacies they have on campus.
Why retail pharmacies at hospitals? Convenience for patients is a factor, though the hospital pharmacies may have lower re-fill rates. Medication adherence is one strategy for lowering readmission rates, and filling the prescription on the hospital campus can smooth a successful care transition to home. It’s another component of integrated/coordinated care.
Source: Cheney C. Hospitals look at retail pharmacies with renewed interest. HealthLeaders Media, Feb. 3, 2014. http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/HEP-300595/Hospitals-Look-at-Retail-Pharmacies-With-Renewed-Interest.html
Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org
Filed under: Health systems, Hospital departments, Integrated delivery, Posted by Diana Culbertson, Readmission | Tagged: hospital retail pharmacies |
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