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CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. plans to pilot an online service from American Well Inc. that would enable patients to have live, interactive consultations with the drug store chain’s pharmacists.
The companies said Thursday that they have signed an agreement to bring American Well’s Online Care services to Rite Aid patients in select Rite Aid stores. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Rite Aid is the nation’s first drug store chain to offer the American Well service to patients, who would be able to access the live online consultations with Rite Aid pharmacists from home or from private consultation rooms in select Rite Aid pharmacies, according to the companies.
"Rite Aid is committed to delivering innovative services to our patients as part of our mission to help them live healthier, happier lives," Robert Thompson, executive vice president of pharmacy at Rite Aid, said in a statement. ‘The Online Care service offers patients another convenient way to engage with their Rite Aid pharmacist about their prescribed medication therapies and helps them understand how taking medication correctly and as prescribed can benefit their overall health."
Patients will be able to initiate consultations via the Web or a regular phone from home or in select Rite Aid pharmacies. During each consultation, Rite Aid pharmacists will be able to review the patient’s history, speak with and see the patient, and provide medication consultations and advice. The system will automatically compile a full record of each conversation when completed, supporting care continuity, the companies noted.
American Well pointed out that its Online Care services help address the national challenge of ensuring that patients take medication correctly and as prescribed.
"We see the evolution of Online Care services spreading throughout the health care industry," commented Danielle Russella, executive vice president of customer solutions at American Well, a Boston-based provide of health care technology solutions. "With this partnership, Rite Aid will pioneer the introduction of on-demand access to pharmacists through technology."
