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SAN DIEGO — McKesson Corp.’s ideaShare 2015 is underway this week at the San Diego Convention Center. The event, which runs through Saturday, provides an interactive forum for independent pharmacists from across the country to share ideas for growing their businesses, according to McKesson, which says that the annual event provides attendees with access to industry thought leaders, pharmacy programs and solutions, continuing education (CE) courses, and networking events.
“As the industry continues to evolve, pharmacists are being pushed to elevate their role as healthcare service providers,” said Mark Walchirk, president of McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical. “McKesson and Health Mart are pleased to drive innovation in this environment through continued investment in new business-building tools, clinical solutions, and technology being highlighted here at McKesson ideaShare to help impact patient care and outcomes, as well as seize opportunities for growth.”
Friday’s schedule includes the annual meeting of Health Mart, an independent pharmacy franchise with more than 4,000 stores nationwide.
“Health Mart has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years by providing tools and support that enable members to deliver superior patient care and quality outcomes, bring more patients into their stores, and expand their services for more revenue. This week, Health Mart will showcase key solutions designed to help grow their business,” said Health Mart president Steve Courtman.
Health Mart is focused on helping pharmacies get the credit they deserve for improved patient adherence and quality outcomes and gain additional access to preferred networks, according to the company, which is an affiliate of McKesson.
One of Health Mart’s key areas of focus this year is improving clinical performance. Health Mart continues to educate members on behavioral coaching, medication synchronization and comprehensive medication reviews, as well as intervention tools such as refill reminders. This fall, Health Mart will host its third series of Town Hall meetings focused on medication synchronization. The latest edition of Health Mart’s “Drive Improved Pharmacy Performance Playbook” will be highlighted at the conference.
McKesson’s Sponsored Clinical Services Network is introducing phone-based pharmacist coaching to expand the reach of its award-winning Pharmacy Intervention Program. These manufacturer-sponsored coaching sessions have consistently increased patient adherence by up to 30%, McKesson says. Launched at last year’s ideaShare event, the LoyaltyScript@Retail program is designed to provide pharmacists with a timely, convenient means of providing patient savings and enhanced care. More than 13,400 pharmacies are participating in the program, which provides pharmacists with easy, in-store access to co-pay savings offers for a growing list of brands via McKesson’s online portal.
In an effort to make its online education platform more robust, meanwhile, Health Mart has teamed with Pharmacist’s Letter to provide pharmacies with extended clinical CE, quality improvement and educational resources to help impact patient outcomes and help meet state-specific CE requirements.
Bring new patients into the stores is another priority, and with that in mind Health Mart continues to invest in national and local marketing tools. Pharmacies have access to matching funds for local marketing activities, which gives owners the flexibility to promote their specific service offerings and distinct strengths, attract new patients, and reinforce their value to existing patients.
At the meeting, Health Mart is launching an improved Marketing Hub experience, expanded Facebook program and new marketing support options. The redesigned Marketing Hub features hundreds of customizable marketing tools designed to allow stores to leverage the Health Mart brand and national advertising and while reinforcing their local identity to promote their personalized services in their own way.
Health Mart also continues to expand its customizable website and mobile app. Patient medication history can be integrated with all McKesson pharmacy-management systems. Patients can opt in to receive refill and pill reminders delivered via push notifications through the mobile app, and pharmacists can provide status updates through push notifications.
McKesson is launching a redesigned portal for its Physician Outreach Program that provides enhanced prescriber tracking capabilities and easier prescriber specialty search functionality. Health Mart members will also have access to professionally created prescriber marketing materials. In a recent study, program users gained 12 more new prescribers and 40 more new patients over a six-month period compared to similar stores not using the Physician Outreach Program.
Another priority at Health Mart is helping its member pharmacies implement specialty solutions, vaccination programs and other clinical services to shift focus to the patient and grow pharmacy business and profitability. Health Mart has developed a new program for pharmacies looking to establish a vaccine practice at their stores. The Vaccine Starter Kit will give pharmacies 12 months of hands-on customer support from a vaccine expert who will cover the key steps necessary to start up a vaccine administration program. The Vaccine Starter Kit program will be open for enrollment at McKesson ideaShare 2015, with services beginning in August.
On Saturday, McKesson ideaShare will feature a Lunch and Learn session featuring a Health Mart Specialty Solutions customer and special guest, Phil Hagerman, CEO of Diplomat.
At the opening session of McKesson ideaShare 2015, the Marble City Health Mart Pharmacy, located in Sylacauga, Ala., was named the 2015 Pharmacy of the Year by McKesson. Pharmacy founder Danny Johnson and his sons, owners Jared and Jacob Johnson, were honored at a special awards ceremony.
