TAMPA, Fla. — Thrifty White Drug Stores plans to implement an integrated drug database and decision support system from Gold Standard/Elsevier that’s expected to give pharmacists more time to counsel customers.
The technology provider said Wednesay that Thrifty White has licensed its Alchemy solution for all of its pharmacy and telepharmacy dispensing systems. The employee-owned drug chain, based in Maple Grove, Minn., operates 83 stores in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin and has 63 independent pharmacy locations in the region.
According to Gold Standard/Elsevier, Thrifty White will use Alchemy’s drug product database, drug decision support engine and patient education component to enhance its drug dispensing system and provide drug information to pharmacists instantly, in turn streamlining the prescription filling process so pharmacists have more opportunity to provide advice to patients and answer their questions.
"Thrifty White is committed to providing health care to populations where access to pharmacy services is limited. We believe that the pharmacist is a great resource, especially to patients in rural communities," Gary Boehler, executive vice president of pharmacy for Thrifty White, said in a statement. "We selected Gold Standard’s Alchemy due to its timely, reliable content, advanced technology and excellent customer service."
Alchemy’s Drug Product database delivers drug data that’s compliant with National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) telecommunication and electronic prescribing standards for branded and generic prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, herbals, vitamins, nutritional products, medical devices and diagnostic kits, Gold Standard/Elsevier said. Meanwhile, Alchemy Drug Decision Support evaluates the patient’s full drug regimen for potential problems and presents notifications to help the pharmacist make informed drug therapy decisions.
The technology firm also noted that Alchemy also meets FDA requirements for consumer medication information, providng patient education sheets that serve as counseling aids at the point of care along with take-home references.
"Alchemy’s agile technology will be able to keep pace with Thrifty White’s rapidly growing business, and its robust content will empower rural communities with the most up-to-date drug information," commented Marianne Messer, president of Tampa, Fla.-based Gold Standard. "By imparting medication knowledge to pharmacy professionals and patients, Alchemy helps to produce fewer adverse drug events, better health results and an overall cost savings."
