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ORLANDO — The vast majority (86%) of consumers are open to receiving new clinical services in pharmacies beyond traditional prescription filling, according to a recent survey commissioned by Outcomes Operating, Inc., an industry expert for integrated pharmacy workflow and patient
• Consumers are loyal to their community pharmacists. On average, respondents had relied on their current pharmacy for filling prescriptions for 6.5 years—slightly longer than the average time spent with their current primary care physician (5.8 years).
• Consumers prefer brick and mortar pharmacies over the convenience of mail order. Four out of five respondents relied on community pharmacies in the past year, compared to those that relied on mail order.
• Consumers are currently receiving clinical services provided at pharmacies. Vaccine administration was the most commonly received (69% of respondents), with COVID-19 testing coming in second (44%) followed by measuring blood pressure (28%) and conducting personalized medication reviews (27%).
• More than 95% of consumers are comfortable receiving communications about prescriptions from pharmacists. Preferences for engagement included text messaging, automated phone systems and patient portals.
Survey respondents who had not received clinical services provided at pharmacies were most receptive to having pharmacists measure blood pressure, conduct telehealth consultations and prescribe smoking cessation products/medications. When asked to suggest additional services they would like to see provided by pharmacists, popular suggestions included at-home delivery, diabetes testing/management, mental health evaluations and vision testing.
“Pharmacies are the cornerstone of a healthcare system that delivers accessible, quality and affordable care. This survey underscores the pivotal relationship between patients and their local pharmacies and why evidence increasingly points to the need for pharmacists to work at the top of their license to align with the goals of value-based care,” says Jude Dieterman, Chief Executive Officer of Outcomes. “Outcomes has been dedicated to the success of community pharmacies for nearly half a century, and we will continue to provide the innovative technology and resources needed to advance the role of pharmacists across our vast network that touches 70 million lives each year.”
The random sampling survey of 508 adults ages 25 and older was conducted by Acumen Marketing Research, Inc., in December 2023. The research aimed to garner a clearer understanding of consumer perceptions, attitudes and usage of pharmacies today, and to obtain reactions to some enhanced services that may become more widely available at pharmacies in the future.
To see the full report, visit https://www.outcomes.com/2024-outcomes-patient-survey.
