WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In recognition of American Pharmacists Month in October, CVS Caremark Corp. is extending a message of thanks to its pharmacists, whom the company notes are taking on a bigger health care role.
"CVS Caremark is focused on finding new and innovative ways to reinvent pharmacy in order to better serve our customers and our pharmacists play a critical role in that process," Larry Merlo, president and chief executive officer of CVS Caremark, said in a statement Thursday. "The health care landscape in our nation is changing and pharmacists are no longer simply dispensing medication. Our pharmacists are also providing important health care services through innovative programs and services across our practice settings."
The company outlined how the 26,000 pharmacists in its retail drug stores, mail service pharmacies and specialty pharmacies nationwide are raising the level of patient care while reining in health care costs.
At the approximately 7,500 CVS/pharmacy locations, pharmacists are providing convenient access to flu vaccines and other immunizations in all 7,500 CVS/pharmacy locations. And with the new health insurance coverage choices being made available under the Affordable Care Act, CVS pharmacists are serving as a point of activation for patients seeking information about their options under the health care reform law.
CVS Caremark said pharmacists also are playing a pivotal role at its new, state-of-the-art mail service pharmacy and customer center in Mount Prospect, Ill., which the company noted combines high-tech automation and human expertise to provide convenient, affordable access to prescriptions.
Pharmacists also are the anchor in CVS Caremark’s Pharmacy Advisor program, which addresses issues of nonadherence and identifies gaps in care to improve the health of people with chronic diseases via pharmacist consultations.
CVS, too, is recognizing the role of its other pharmacy professionals. On Oct. 22, the company plans to celebrate National Pharmacy Technician Day in honor of the critical role that its 50,000 pharmacy technicians play in supporting CVS Caremark pharmacists and at its thousands of pharmacies.
