What services can pharmacists provide and what are some of the new technologies and solutions available to help improve health outcomes? Benefits Canada’s Pharmacy Solutions in Drug Plan Management forum explored pharmacists’ evolving role in helping plan members get the best health outcomes from the drugs they take.
Below are some of the highlights of the sessions from the Oct. 18 event at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.
Photos from the event are available online in our photo gallery.
A look at pharmacists’ role in supporting drug adherence
While research shows that the rate of adherence to mental-health prescriptions is lower than for drugs to treat other conditions, pharmacists are in a good position to support patients by optimizing medications and following up with them, says Allison Nourse, national director of pharmacy innovation at Pharmasave Drugs Ltd.
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Helping plan management measures ‘come alive’ for members
As plan members deal with the increased complexity of benefits plans, what’s the role of pharmacies in helping them understand and navigate the various rules around drug claims?
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Smart pill bottles among new technologies emerging to boost patient outcomes
Through emerging options that create automated processes to address prevention and wellness and increase accountability by the patient, specialty pharmacy has the ability to deliver greater value, said Eric Sredzinski, executive vice-president of clinical affairs and quality assurance with Avella Specialty Pharmacy.
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Encouraging better decisions by high-cost claimants the ‘greatest opportunity to capture savings’
Increased drug spending and the arrival of new, high-cost medications require innovative approaches to drive better decisions by plan members, according to John Herbert, director of strategy, product development and clinical services for Express Scripts Canada.
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Pharmacists’ role evolving to help plans manage costs
An aging population and a trend towards costly drugs entering the market are driving benefit plan costs higher, but pharmacists can play a key role in helping to ensure plans remain sustainable, according to Barbara Martinez, national practice leader of drug benefits solutions at Great-West Life Assurance Co.
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