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MAUSTON, Wis. — Phillips Health Mart Pharmacy has begun offering retail customers prescription packaging designed to improve medication adherence.
Using the AdherePac system from pharmacy automation provider TCGRx, the Wisconsin community pharmacy can synchronize all of a patient’s prescriptions into one 30-day packaged roll that’s sorted by time of day and has specific administration information printed on each pouch.
Also on pouches are the patient’s name, medication name and dosage, strength and description of each pill, and time of administration. Other medications such as liquids, inhalers or ointments have an additional bag to remind the patient to take it at the prescribed time.
The solution provides convenience for the patients, the prescribers and the pharmacy, as well as safety and security via simple dispensing administration, Phillips Pharmacy and TCGRx noted. In addition, caregivers now have a quick way to verify when the last dose was taken, helping to improve adherence and reduce the chance of overmedication.
“Handing a patient multiple pill bottles and explaining when to take each med, and how to take it, is always a daunting task for us, but it’s even more complicated for them to remember it all,” explained Wayne MacArdy, owner of Phillips Pharmacy, which has pharmacies in Mauston, Tomah, Adams/Friendship and Elroy, as well as a new location in Necedah and the Mile Bluff Clinic in Mauston. “Phillips Pharmacy is proud to offer our customers convenient prescription filling options that save them additional trips to the pharmacy, and help increase their medication compliance. AdherePac eliminates presorting pills into traditional pill boxes and eliminates confusion on when and how many of each medication to take.”
Phillips Pharmacy partnered with TCGRx, the maker of the AdherePac system, to automate the process of packaging each patient’s medicines.
Phillips Pharmacy partnered with TCGRx, the maker of the ATP 2 automated tablet packaging system, to automate the process of packaging each patient’s medicines, which are all verified by barcode to ensure accuracy and safety for each pouch produced.
“Pharmacies that offer AdherePac are helping their customers live healthier lives by helping them adhere to the medication program they were prescribed,” stated Duane Chudy, president and chief executive officer of TCGRx, based in Powers Lake, Wis. “TCGRx’s role is to help both the pharmacy and their patients by using the latest technology to guarantee the right medication is in the right pouch for the right patient, every time.”
The adherence packaging service offers physicians one phone call monthly per patient to verify refill orders plus at-a-glance information of a patient’s package to see all medications prescribed by others during the office visit. Optional dispensing of shorter cycles is available if medications require dosage adjustments throughout the month, TCGRx said, adding that the solution saves patients money on new medications and the disposal of unused medications.
“My goal, as pharmacist, is to serve the patient, ensuring their safety and health well-being,” according to MacArdy. “There is no limitation to the AdherePac progam and who chooses to use it. Anyone can take advantage of the simplicity of the program — business travelers, vacationers, active seniors, home health services, parents of school-age children that require medication during school hours, children in daycare or summer camp programs. Doctors can partner with pharmacies like Phillips to guarantee that the prescription written will be taken as required, making the doctor, pharmacy and patient successful.”
Phillips Pharmacy plans to hold an open-house at the Mile Bluff Clinic on March 1 to give an overview of the AdherePac program and how technology is helping to improve the future medication administration.
